Environmentalists want fast track to rail station at Robin Hood airport
07.08.05
Environmental groups are calling for the planned railway station at Robin Hood Airport to be developed 'as soon as possible' to tackle mounting traffic. Currently rail travellers have to catch buses out to the airport from Doncaster town centre.
Rick Rolt, of Doncaster Green Party said: 'There needs to be a station in place as soon as possible so more people have the option of travelling by public transport. There are buses, but they only operate within the local area.'
'The train goes further afield, is quicker and generally seen as a higher quality form of transport. This would attract people who currently use their cars, and could cut predicted traffic problems around the airport.'
Proposals were announced earlier this year for a stop on the Doncaster to Lincoln route to allow train passengers to connect to Robin Hood airport. However they have not yet been submitted for planning permission and Robin Hood airport managing director David Ryall says the stop is 'several years down the line'. And Network Rail will not back the development until there are enough people using the Finningley terminal to make services profitable.
Currently only three to four trains a day use the route in either direction, and Network Rail says much more regular services would need to be established to make it convenient enough for passengers to abandon their cars.
