The Leeds office of WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, has been appointed to conduct a major study for improving 22 train stations in south Yorkshire. As part of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) framework, the consultancy is to identify the scope of facility upgrades required to improve customers’ experience using the network.

The study, which incorporates stations in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster districts, will identify options for a wide variety of improvements including lifts, access ramps, lighting, shelters, commercial spaces and car parks. WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is supplying engineering services from its rail and development business and will draw on expertise from offices in Leeds, Manchester and York.

The outcome of the study will be submitted in May and the SYPTE will use the findings to make funding applications to implement the improvements. Last year, the Department for Transport committed a further £60m to its National Stations Improvement Programme, which is being implemented by Network Rail, adding to more than £100m already invested into upgrading more than 150 train stations across the country since 2011. 

Karen Poole, rail project manager at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, said: “An exciting new chapter for rail in the North of England is about to begin with the start of a new franchise and this study marks an important milestone, ensuring that the region makes the most of the opportunity to transform rail travel in the next decade. 

“With the government committing millions of pounds to improving our rail infrastructure in the north, we’re anticipating that thousands more people will choose to travel by train in the near future. The study represents the first step in accessing new funding streams which could facilitate significant improvement of train station facilities across South Yorkshire.”

This latest appointment adds to WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s extensive portfolio of rail clients, which include Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester consultancy framework. High profile rail projects include the station masterplan for Stockport and design and engineering services for the Northern Hub and the North West electrification programmes, are set to transform rail services in the region by adding more than 40 million extra passenger journeys each year.