Worksop: Council demand improvements to ‘outdated’ train services to and from Sheffield

The Sheffield – Worksop – Retford – Lincoln service is currently operated by Northern Rail, under a franchise from the government which runs out in April next year.

The County Council has been working in conjunction with 30 other councils all across the Northern Rail area to demand improvements for the 2016 franchise.

“Last year 453,032 passengers travelled to or from Worksop train station- well over a thousand a day,” said Coun Kevin Greaves, chairman of the council’s transport and highways committee.

“The largest number, around 300,000, travel into and out of Sheffield, often changing there for trains heading all over the country.”

“Because it is so important to Worksop and so well used the council has been working hard to secure improvements .”

“That work, which has been going on for several years, is reaching an important point, and we expect an announcement soon from the Department for Transport.”

The County Council, alongside Bassetlaw District Council, has been focusing on five particular areas where they want to see improvements.

These include a more frequent service, an improved Sunday service, new trains, faster journey times and a new station between Woodhouse and Darnall.

“At present there is a train every hour from about half past six in the morning until about half past eleven at nightbetween Sheffield, Worksop and Retford.” said Coun Greaves.

“We think there should be a train every 30 minutes for most of the day from Retford and Worksop into and out of Sheffield. That would make the service more convenient and so encourage even more growth.