A station for the high speed rail line should be built in Barnsley instead of Sheffield, creating huge economics benefits, says a Barnsley MP.
Barnsley Central MP, Dan Jarvis, was speaking after details for the High Speed 2 line showed the link to Leeds would cut across Barnsley, and trains would pass through Hoyland Common, Ardsley, Lundwood, Cudworth and Shafton.
But despite the disruption, the nearest station is proposed to be at Meadowhall, Sheffield.
Dan said: "In terms of locating a HS2 station in Barnsley as opposed to Sheffield Meadowhall – there would clearly be huge economic benefit to Barnsley, the benefits of which, would of course have to be looked at carefully alongside the impact of the disruption of the construction work and the impact on the environment required to deliver it."
His support was echoed by Owen Gleadall, president of the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, who said: "There is sufficient easy access that would allow the creation of a terminal that wouldn't have a massive impact on the town centre.
"I think somewhere near junction 36 or even junction 38 might prove much easier. It wouldn't mean a huge amount of work involved building a few miles further up.
"It would be a huge coup for the town because then it becomes something other than just Barnsley and instead a town with a high speed rail terminal."
• Detailed maps showing where the preferred route through Barnsley can be seen here: www.gov.uk/hs2-phase-two-initial-preferred-route-plan-and-profile-maps