Yorkshire metro mayor Dan Jarvis calls for urgent support amid economic fears for the North

The metro mayor of South Yorkshire has urged the Government to end the “hand to mouth existence” for the transport network and the wider efforts to recover from the pandemic.
Dan Jarvis, the metro mayor of South Yorkshire,  has called for an end to the “hand to mouth existence” for the transport network and the wider efforts to recover from the pandemic. Photo credit: JPIMediaDan Jarvis, the metro mayor of South Yorkshire,  has called for an end to the “hand to mouth existence” for the transport network and the wider efforts to recover from the pandemic. Photo credit: JPIMedia
Dan Jarvis, the metro mayor of South Yorkshire, has called for an end to the “hand to mouth existence” for the transport network and the wider efforts to recover from the pandemic. Photo credit: JPIMedia

While welcoming the recent announcement Sheffield’s supertram service is guaranteed for another 12 weeks - with £35.4m from recent government funding to support the services in the city, Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis has said it does not go far enough in support amid the current climate of lockdown measures in place.

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Mr Jarvis said: “The latest funding for Supertram is welcome and allows us to continue running the network for the next 12 weeks, protecting and maintaining services during the very high alert level restrictions.

Sheffields supertram service has recently been guaranteed for another 12 weeks. Photo credit:  Chris EtchellsSheffields supertram service has recently been guaranteed for another 12 weeks. Photo credit:  Chris Etchells
Sheffields supertram service has recently been guaranteed for another 12 weeks. Photo credit: Chris Etchells
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“It means essential services for school, college and work can continue and operate in a way that keeps passengers safe.

“However, we need to end the hand to mouth existence of funding our transport network and our wider efforts to recover from the pandemic.”

The Sheffield supertram service, alongside Tyne and Wear, Nottingham, the West Midlands, Manchester and Blackpool could be subject to a further £32.4m, subject to a Government review for up to the end of March 2021.

Previously the super tram service in the South Yorkshire city had faced an uncertain future in the summer, after metro mayor Mr Jarvis said he could not guarantee it could carry on running when funding from the Government runs out tomorrow.

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The tram network covering Sheffield and Rotherham was one of five light rail services to share emergency funding in May as a response to the downturn in passenger numbers during lockdown.

But following on from some 1.4m people across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield being placed under the Tier 3 restrictions from Saturday, Mr Jarvis, who is also an MP in Barnsley, said urgent action was needed to help the South Yorkshire economy in recovery.

He added the Government’s levelling up agenda will not be able to continue if the Treasury to take decisive action.

He said: "The downgrading of the Comprehensive Spending Review to a one-year settlement does little to give people and businesses certainty, nor provides the additional investment we need to level up the economy.

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"This is precisely the time we should be investing in infrastructure, jobs and skills for the long-term which ensures we build back better from the pandemic, and create a stronger, greener and fairer South Yorkshire.

"While we will do all we can with our powers and resources, we need the Government to step up and puts its money where its mouth is to deliver on levelling up."

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