AN MP has made a last ditch attempt to persuade the Government to back the original HS2 route via Meadowhall.
Based on the original timetable, the Transport Secretary is expected to make his final decision on the high speed rail route this month.
MPs across South Yorkshire, and Rotherham and Doncaster councils, have repeatedly called for Ministers to opt to take the route past Meadowhall, as initially planned, instead of the new M18 route, which will go through parts of Rotherham.
In a letter to Chris Grayling this week, Mr Healey said the Meadowhall route would mean faster journey times, more capacity, less disruption to local communities, better connections with Rotherham and Barnsley and better prospects for regeneration and jobs.
He added: “HS2 can bring benefits to our region, and we want a route that achieves and maximises this – helping close the north-south divide, connect communities and reduce inequalities.
“The M18 route has limited ambitions for South Yorkshire and does not have support from residents and authorities.
“With no confirmed station stop on the route, our region would get the worst of all worlds – the disturbance of HS2 running right through but not even stopping in South Yorkshire.
“I urge you to return to the original route and the one which will most benefit South Yorkshire – Meadowhall.”