Transport plans set out for DSA and Gateway East
Key priorities identified for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the wider commercial development include the £50m upgrade of Junction 3 of the M18, among other infrastructure projects.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and City of Doncaster Council have released a 43-page Surface Access Statement that sets out a phased programme of short-, medium-, and long-term measures to improve road, rail, and public transport links.
Written in June but available to view now, the plan is designed to strengthen the area’s connectivity and position the airport as a driver of regional investment and growth.
DSA already benefits from several built-in advantages, including a long runway, uncongested airspace, and its location within a 90-minute drive of millions of people.
It has direct access to the M18 via Great Yorkshire Way and established rail links through Doncaster Station.
However, limited public transport options, particularly between Sheffield and the airport, are highlighted as a major constraint.
Car travel remains the dominant mode of access, creating concerns around congestion and accessibility.
The most pressing infrastructure challenge identified is Junction 3 of the M18, where a £50m upgrade scheme has been drawn up to expand capacity and ease congestion.
Funding for the project has not yet been secured, but delivery is viewed as critical to unlocking the wider Gateway East site and building investor confidence.
Longer-term proposals include a new rail station connecting DSA to the East Coast Main Line and Lincoln Line.
While not required for reopening, the scheme is expected to support future employment and freight growth.
Improvements to bus services and active travel routes also form part of the strategy, aimed at increasing accessibility for local communities and reducing reliance on car travel.
Sustainability runs through the report’s recommendations, with better transport links expected to cut emissions by reducing longer car journeys to alternative airports.
Aligning commercial and environmental goals is seen as essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the site.
For contractors and developers, the statement provides a clear picture of upcoming priorities: Funding and delivery of the Junction 3 upgrade is identified as the immediate focus, followed by investment in improved public transport links to Sheffield and surrounding areas.
Reliable and resilient transport infrastructure, covering road, rail, and freight, is expected to determine whether the airport can re-establish itself as a major logistics and passenger hub, underpinning growth across Gateway East and the wider South Yorkshire economy.
Myself personally need the airport but personally can’t see it working unless we can get to places like Germany. I think its a total waste of public money when everything is in a mess already school’s need to be looked at first and people with autism need places to go for them instead of closing them down
By Anonymous
I loved DSA a really good and convenient airport to use and there was a decent bus service that I used …get it back up and working…it is a proper air port with great links and easy access…not like Leeds
By David Dempsey
Bring it on! Thankyou for all your hard work in promoting Doncaster- long may it continue
By L Collingwood
Better bus and rail links
By Anonymous
Having a rail link for future passengers for the airport is a
must to encourage people from a wider area to use. All airports that succeed have a link. The sooner the better.
By Clyde Norcliffe
I would rather money be spent on a new hospital for Doncaster. Providing community health hubs for out lying communities. Using abandoned and turning them into housing. Improving schools.
By Anonymous
Think “BIG”. Achive every thing in the space of time. SOUTH YORKSHIRE needs a future! “DAS” Will provide it!
By A Farrell
DSA is a must especially now Doncaster is a City it will benefit the whole North of England.
By Roy eyre
Not that long since junction 3 was redesigned to accommodate GYW, as usual not done right first time around despite being told so. Don’t do anything yet, the opening might not happen, costs are taking off but not plane’s., not many ever did.
By Anonymous
I’m all for the Airport to open.lets make a go of it.Something for future generations Unlike Peel who were only interested in the land.
By Martin Mikalauskas
Excellent airport when it was operating far more accessible and convenient than Leeds, not to mention Leeds susceptibility to bad weather!
By Anonymous
To stop people from travelling to other Airports DSA needs to be competitive and NOT change locals more for the privilege of using a local Airport as previously .
By Anthony Taylor