Plans for the multimillion-pound Rotherham Gateway Station have taken a step forward as South Yorkshire’s mayor and local council leaders backed funding to progress the major regeneration project.
When Rotherham Council meets on 7 July, Cabinet is set to endorse a comprehensive Masterplan and approve the strategic acquisition of nearby land and property.
Last week, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board signed off £11.35m to design the new mainline station and Tram Train stop, and to ensure the project can progress at pace.
The business case for the Station and wider masterplan area highlights the potential to create 1,200 new jobs, underlining the significant economic impact the development is expected to bring to the region.
Design work for the project will be included in a business case to release further government funding, with an ambition to open the station and Tram Train stop by late 2030.
The proposed station, earmarked for Forge Way, Parkgate, would act as a regional transport hub linking local, regional, and national rail services – positioning Rotherham as a strategic economic corridor between Sheffield and Leeds.
It would also provide more rail services and faster journey times to the centres of Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds, as well as adding direct and quicker connections to the Midlands, North West and North East.
To ensure the station delivers lasting benefits to local people and businesses, Rotherham Council commissioned a comprehensive Masterplan.
The plan outlines a phased 20-year programme of transformation, including more than 355,000 square foot of advanced manufacturing and commercial space, around 250 new homes, and up to 132,000 square foot of green spaces and public realm.
Rotherham Council has already secured £10 million to progress vital land acquisition and planning for the station area.
The Council will also commit £2 million through its Strategic Acquisitions Fund to secure key properties necessary to deliver the wider Masterplan, with Cabinet set to decide if negotiations can commence.
Cllr Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: “Back in 2022 we set out proposals to return mainline intercity trains to Rotherham for the first time since the mid-1980s. It’s great now to be able to progress those plans further, confirming additional funding to move to the next stage of development and for site acquisitions.
“We’re also setting out proposals for opportunities for more jobs and homes in the area around the proposed station, including connectivity into the town centre and access to the tram-train network.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity for our economy and our community, which would put Rotherham residents with half an hour’s travel of the centre of Leeds and an hour from Birmingham, expanding the work and leisure opportunities for Rotherham people as well as access to our borough. We’re determined to forge ahead with securing the infrastructure our borough needs to create new opportunities for years to come.”
South Yorkshire’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “I’ve repeatedly said that significant investment is needed in our rail network – because if we want people to stay near and go far, we need better public transport.
“The £11.35 million investment into Rotherham Gateway Station is a vital step in delivering that future. It’s about more than just a new station – it’s about creating a gateway to opportunity, growth, and innovation.
“The new station will sit at the heart of a transformational regeneration project, supporting high-tech industries, new homes, and green public spaces. It will improve journey times and connectivity not just within South Yorkshire, but to key centres across the North, Midlands, and beyond.
“We do need more government support to complete our vision. That’s why Rotherham Gateway was included in Lord Blunkett’s Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail because it will help connect our people to the opportunities they deserve if we get it right – better jobs, better education, and a better quality of life. It’s one of the ways we’re building a world-class transport network in South Yorkshire that works for everyone.”
