MP calls for two trains an hour for the Penistone Line in Parliament

Marie Tidball MP has voted to bring rail back into public control in the Railways Bill, by creating Great British Railways (GBR). During the debate, she called for two trains an hour on the Penistone Line, as part of this landmark upgrade to our railways.

Great British Railways will run and manage the tracks and trains used by passengers every day, by creating a simpler, more unified railway to deliver reliable, safe, and better value journeys for passengers. This will bring together seventeen different organisations to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication.

As part of the Bill, a new Great British Railways app and website will also be created, to put tickets back into the hands of passengers, with no booking fees and the expansion of “Pay as You Go” travel.

Speaking in the debate on the Bill in Parliament, Marie Tidball MP welcomed these measures for passengers. She said that “these changes mean South Yorkshire has the opportunity to restore a transport network that is the envy of the world once again. [Upgrading the Penistone Line], is [central to this].”

“Our Labour Government have already begun to power that change with our £48 million investment in Phase One [for the Penistone Line Upgrade Scheme].” Phase One will bring more double track and passing loops, making trains more reliable and increasing line speeds. Phase One will also upgrade stations along the line, including improving accessibility.

Marie Tidball then called for the government to fund Phase Two of the Penistone Line Upgrade Scheme in the next Spending Review Period, which would deliver two trains an hour to the service. She told Transport Ministers that “it is crucial that the second stage is covered in the next spending review to ensure that my constituents in Dodworth, Silkstone Common, Penistone, Chapeltown and all the places in between can get to college, university, hospital and employment.”

The local MP highlighted how crucial the Penistone Line is to local communities, saying “this line is the spine connecting south and west Yorkshire, running between Huddersfield and Sheffield. It courses through eight constituencies, serves over half a million people, and connects six hospitals, four universities, several further education colleges, and hundreds of schools and GP surgeries. It laces together communities with rich histories, vibrant high streets and industry with huge potential.”

The Railways Bill also follows the announcement that rail fares will be frozen for the first time in 30 years, saving commuters on the most expensive routes more than £300 a year.

Marie Tidball MP, Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said:

“One of the most special moments of my first year as an MP was singing ABBA on the Penistone Line, with the wonderful We Can Survive Choir, travelling through my beautiful constituency. The Penistone Line is a vital service that connects us to friends, family, work, education, and healthcare, and it’s fantastic to work with local residents and community groups like the Penistone Line Partnership who are such fantastic advocates for our line.“Our Labour Government has set unprecedented support for our local transport system, including confirming £48 million for Phase One of the Penistone Line Upgrade Scheme to increase line speeds and reliability, as well as £1.5 billion for our tram network.“Now, the creation of Great British Railways accelerates our vision for the Second Phase of the Penistone Line Upgrade Scheme. The service currently only runs once an hour - South and West Yorkshire deserve better than this.“This is personal for me. As Councillor for Dodworth Ward, and Chair of Barnsley Passenger Transport, my dad got to re-open a newly refurbished Silkstone Common Station. Not that I’m competitive or anything, but I want to make sure my legacy is to be ‘two trains an hour Tidball’ for our Penistone Line! On top of the Phase One changes, I know what an incredible difference this would make to residents living right across our communities.”