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Doncaster’s major road scheme is right on track

Three months into construction, the Doncaster’s Southern Gateway Improvement Scheme along the White Rose Way is making good progress.

The first phase of this important route into Doncaster from Junction 3 of the M18 started in June 2011 and everything is on track to hit an important Christmas deadline when a 48 hour window from Network Rail will see a new bridge lifted in over the East Coast Main Line and numerous other local railway lines.

Work to create new carriageways is clearly visible between Potteric Carr and Ladybank roundabouts. Road embankments are being built up and the foundations for the bridge supports are being prepared.

Peter Davies, Mayor of Doncaster, who this week visited the White Rose Way site said: “The improvements are definitely taking shape which is wonderful news for Doncaster and the wider region. This key gateway into Doncaster is crucial for future investment and economic growth in the town so I am delighted everything is on schedule.

 “Tremendous credit must go to the council’s Transport and Accessibility team who have led on the development of the scheme, pulled together and submitted funding bids and are managing the project.”

Dave Lowther, Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering’s Project Manager for the scheme, said: “We are working extremely hard alongside Doncaster Council and Network Rail to deliver this regionally important project; I believe it is an excellent example of partnership working. There remains a heavy focus in preparing for the 48 hour full Christmas blockade of the railway which will enable the new bridge beams to be lifted into place.”

To support the second phase of works, the council has submitted a further funding bid to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and a bid for scheme funding has also gone into the Department for Transport. Decisions on the bids are expected at the end of the year and this could see the next stage of improvements starting spring 2012.

Once both phases are complete by March 2013 the entire route will be a dual carriageway increasing road capacity, reducing congestion and improving journey times.

Improving access along White Rose Way will also release planning restrictions on 220,000sqm of developable land which could deliver over 2,700 new jobs and more than 2,500 new homes.

This project is supported financially by the European Union. To date, the project has attracted £4.6million of investment from the ERDF as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme. This programme is managed by the region’s development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Further information on the council led White Rose Way scheme is available at: www.doncaster.gov.uk/wrw