Local MP asks Prime Minister for tram-train extension to Stocksbridge

During PMQs in Parliament, Marie Tidball, Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, asked the Prime Minister to extend the Sheffield tram-train to Stocksbridge, via Deepcar, Wharncliffe Side and Oughtibridge. Marie’s question follows the announcement of £35 million government funding for the Crucible Theatre, ensuring that the World Snooker Championship will remain in Sheffield until 2045.

In Parliament, Marie Tidball welcomed the government funding, which will add a further 500 seats to the auditorium, to “transform the Crucible Theatre and keep the World Snooker Championship at the heart of Sheffield." Consequently, the funding will expand the Crucible’s capacity by 50% and total £45 million, including extra funding from private and philanthropic partners.

She then asked the Prime Minister to support a tram train-extension to Stocksbridge:

“I want my constituents to be able to enjoy this fantastic tournament, day and night, and to travel in by tram-train from Stocksbridge to Sheffield via Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Side and Deepcar.”

Marie highlighted that the South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has kick-started these plans, and asked Keir Starmer

“Will [he] work with me and the South Yorkshire Mayor to ensure that we get spades in the ground for a tram-train extension to Stocksbridge as soon as possible, so that my constituents can enjoy the snooker?”

In response to her question, the Prime Minister confirmed that:

“Sheffield and the Crucible theatre are the beating heart of snooker, and I am delighted that they will host the world snooker championship for many years to come. This is what Labour stands for: investing in things that make us proud of the places where we live.”

He assured the local MP that the Government are “working closely with South Yorkshire Combined Authority on better transport links and providing £1.4 billion to spend on its priorities, which could include a new tram fleet...more modern stops, or delivering extensions”.

Marie’s question follows the recent unveiling of the new “South Yorkshire People’s Network” branding for the region’s public transport by Mayor Oliver Coppard, marking a once-in-a-generation change. The network will be bringing trams and buses back into public control, allowing decisions to be made in the interests of people, not profit, all backed by £1.5 billion funding from Government. As part of this, the Government has given SYMCA £7.5 million for a feasibility study to extend the tram, including the tram-train route to Stocksbridge.

During Marie’s question, Reform MPs, including Nigel Farage, walked out the House of Commons Chamber, and were met with jeering and upset from other MPs. In his response to Marie, and the Reform MPs leaving the Chamber, the Prime Minister said that “Reform Members...obviously realise that they are absolutely snookered”!

Following the exchange, Marie Tidball MP said:

“The Crucible is the home of British snooker, and I’m delighted that it will continue to remain in its spiritual home for the next 20 years, thanks to investment from the Labour Government, and Labour-led Sheffield City Council.

“I want our communities to have long-term public transport options to get to the snooker, day or night, and this must include a tram-tram extension to Stocksbridge, via Deepcar, Oughtibridge and Wharncliffe Side as part of the new South Yorkshire’s People’s Network. I listen to constituents repeatedly tell me what a difference this would make, alongside a reinstated SL1 tram link bus as a short-term solution.

“I was absolutely livid when Reform MPs walked out of the Chamber during my question about this crucial issue to our constituency. This behaviour lays bare that Farage and Reform don’t care about constituencies or communities like ours. I agree with the Prime Minister – they're snookered. I’m the kind of MP that is steadfast in serving my constituents and sticking firmly to my seat in this country’s decision-making chamber during the moments that matter, and will continue working hard with our Mayor and Sheffield City Council to bring a tram-train extension to Stocksbridge.”