Work starts on £56m link road

Construction work started this week on the £56m Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS).

The new link from Junction 3 of the M18 south of Doncaster will be instrumental in supporting growth and the expansion of services at Robin Hood Airport.

It will also provide the necessary road infrastructure for Harworth Estates to build 1,200 homes on the former Rossington Colliery site and Verdion, formerly Helios Europe, to build an innovative rail freight interchange called iPort also in Rossington.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: "FARRRS is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the UK and will deliver a raft of economic benefits for the borough and the Sheffield City Region.

The nearly three mile stretch of road will include a dual carriageway from the M18 towards Rossington to support the Inland Port.

The link will continue as a single carriageway to the A638 at Parrot's Corner and a direct connection will be provided into Rossington.

Raised embankments will be used for most of the link road using reclaimed fill material from the former colliery spoil tips, while several structures will be built including crossings over the Brancliffe to Kirk Sandall (BKS) railway line and the East Coast Main Line.

Carillion has been appointed as the main contractor for the scheme which will become fully operational in early 2016.

Andy Brown, Operations Director for Carillion, said: "Carillion is delighted to have been awarded this contract and we look forward to working with Doncaster Council and other stakeholders to deliver this scheme.

"We are especially pleased to be providing, not only much needed infrastructure, but also a scheme that unlocks so much potential for development and growth in the area."