Rosie Winterton, one of Ministers at the Department for Transport, has said that the reason for having a “Bus Rapid Transit” system between Sheffield and Rotherham is because it is better value for money.
Two routes have been proposed for the “Bus Rapid Transit” one via Meadowhall and on existing roads through Attercliffe and another via the new Waverley housing and business development, which would then be routed into Sheffield via bus lanes on the Parkway. Both routes would cost £73 million whereas extending Supertram from Meadowhall to Rotherham would cost £100 million. Extending Supertram would, however, be less disruptive as the line to Meadowhall is already there and from here to Rotherham would mostly be built on an existing, and under used, railway line.
Rosie Winterton commented: “There will always be a debate between bus versus tram but bus rapid transit schemes can deliver greater flexibility and, here, we can deliver two routes for less than the cost of extending one tram route.
As far as Sheffield City Council are concerned their preferred option is extending Supertram but with no funding forthcoming they will have to go with the Bus Rapid Transit. However, they will be continuing to lobby the government for funding for more Supertram.
Source: Sheffield Star