The next stage of work to enable completion of the link road from the motorway network to Doncaster Sheffield Airport has received the green light.

Work on the first phase of the Finningley And Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS), which is creating a three mile route from junction 3 of the M18 to Parrott’s Corner on the A638 south of Doncaster is progressing well.

Today (Wednesday, 3 December), Mayor Ros Jones and her Cabinet approved plans which will see FARRRS extended to Hurst Lane where it will meet up with the existing airport access road.

This second phase will also include a link to Warning Tongue Lane delivering further economic and transport benefits for the area. It will improve access to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, the fastest growing wildlife attraction, and reduce the impact for local residents living close by.

Work will now start on completing surveys, final designs and the full business case. Consultation will begin in early 2015 followed by the submission of a planning application later in 2015. Subject to approval, construction will start in early 2016 when the first phase of FARRRS is due to be complete and open.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “This is an important milestone in our aspirations to complete the FARRRS link from the motorway network to our international airport.

“The first phase is unlocking major private sector developments including Verdion’s £400million iPort and Harworth Estates 1,200 new home scheme on the former Rossington Colliery site.

“The second phase will see this important regeneration scheme encourage further inward investment, drive economic growth and deliver jobs and homes for people right across the borough. It will be a real boost for expansion at Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the new Enterprise Zone based there. Doncaster is moving forward at a rapid rate of knots.”

Steve Gill, managing director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “FARRRS phase two will provide fantastic access to and from the airport from the motorway network.

“This key infrastructure development will help the airport to achieve its potential and will truly place Doncaster Sheffield Airport at the heart of the Sheffield City Region.”

Work on the first phase continues at pace. The walls of the new bridge being constructed over the East Coast Main Line are nearing completion ready for beams to be lifted into place in the New Year. Work has also started at Parrott’s Corner where the junction will be changed.

The first phase of the Doncaster Council led £56million FARRRS project received financial assistance from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, backing from private sector partners Harworth Estates, the Peel Group and Verdion and is supported regionally by the Growing Places Fund and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. The main contractor for the works is Carillion.

The £15million second phase will receive significant backing from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund (SCRIF) and is being supported by the Local Transport Plan, Doncaster Council and private sector developers.

For more information on FARRRS, go to: www.doncaster.gov.uk/FARRRS