Penistone Line
In 2023, Kirklees Council was made aware that their bid under the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 programme to the government for £47.9m to enhance the Penistone Railway Line (which operates between Huddersfield, Penistone, Barnsley and Sheffield) had been successful. The bid was developed and supported by partners, including local MP's, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and South Yorkshire Combined Authority (SYCA), Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, Northern Rail and Network Rail.
It was recently announced that £1.5m of the funding will be initially released so that plans and a business case for the proposals can move forward.
Plans
- Rail station improvements at key stations on the route including Lockwood, Berry Brow, Honley, Brockholes, Shepley, Stocksmoor and Denby Dale in Kirklees and Penistone, Barnsley.
- Improved links to rail stations.
- Enhanced passenger facilities at stations.
- Rail infrastructure upgrades which will allow trains to run faster and more reliably.
- Additional double track, allowing improved reliability and more frequent trains to operate in the future.
Benefits
Improved connections and journey times will provide greater access to employment, training and leisure opportunities across the north.
Boost investment and the local economies of our towns and villages along the Penistone Line and make our towns and villages more attractive for business investment.
Additional sections of double track will enable faster and more reliable journeys.
Improving local safety at rail stations.
Developments at local stations will have additional benefits to the local community such as electric vehicle charging and bike / car hire schemes. Better access to towns and villages along the route creating more opportunities for economic growth. Increased access to more education, employment and leisure opportunities.
Better waiting facilities, accessibility and faster journey makes travelling by train a realistic choice for more people to opt for sustainable travel, contributing to the climate emergency.
With cycling facilities, access to car hire schemes and electric vehicle charging points, there are more sustainable travel options for people.
Application to the levelling up fund round 2
Read our full application for round 2 of the level up funding.
Progress
Government announced £1.5 million of Level Up Funding for plans and a business case to be developed.
The government announced that Kirklees Council was successful in a bid to their Levelling Up Fund for £48million.
