• Refurbishing the station and upgrading passenger facilities such as lifts to all platforms, CCTV, a new travel centre, check-in facilities for Manchester Airport and better retail units.
• A new multi storey car park and link to Supertram
• A new public square in front of the station
• Completely altering the road layout in front of the station with new bus interchange facilities; and
• New commercial development opportunities

Richard Bowker said: "This is the largest single RPP award ever made by the SRA and will make a significant difference to the five million people who use the Sheffield station every year.

"I am pleased that the partnership between the SRA, SYPTE, Sheffield City Council, Network Rail and Midland Mainline is working for the benefits of passengers. Better facilities and improving links with other modes of transport are some of the central issues for the RPP scheme and this investment is vital if we are going to attract more people to rail travel."

Welcoming the news, Director General of the Transport Executive Roy Wicks said: "This award is the culmination of three years of hard work and fully demonstrates the benefits of a partnership approach and working with the private sector to secure match funding.

"This is a huge move forward for the Sheffield Station Masterplan and keeps us on schedule for expected completion by 2007. On behalf of all the partners, I would like to thank the SRA for their commitment and foresight in realising the importance of this project.''

Cllr Jan Wilson Leader of Sheffield City Council said: "This grant is supporting the creation of a modern, world class, quality entrance to Sheffield. It's absolutely crucial that the city's station gives the right impression to visitors and business people as well as being an excellent public transport facility for the people of Sheffield to use.

"Creating a 21st century gateway to Sheffield complements the on-going regeneration of the city through the City Centre Masterplan.''

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of Midland Mainline, said he was delighted customers would get the benefit of a better station in Sheffield.

"A better station is all part of attracting more people onto the rail network. We have new trains coming into service between Sheffield and London over the next year and coupled with a redeveloped station, it will mean rail travel can really become the first choice travel option.''

The Sheffield Station Masterplan is a partnership of Sheffield City Council, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Midland Mainline, Network Rail, Sheffield One and the Strategic Rail Authority to regenerate Sheffield Station into a modern, world-class gateway to the city.

Note to Editors:

Photocall with Richard Bowker and representatives from the Station Masterplan Partners on Wednesday 9th July at 12.30pm at the tram stop entrance to Sheffield Station. Photographers welcome.

The bid to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) was made by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive with the full support of all the other Station Masterplan partners. The Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) scheme is designed to support those schemes which, though deemed not commercially viable, aim to promote transport integration and encourage modal shift from road to rail. Across the network, around £81 million worth of RPP funding has been approved, covering 81 schemes.

For further details contact the SRA Press Office 020 7654 6387 or Philippa Godfrey, Sheffield City Council's Marketing and Communications Service, 0114 273 6631 or 07764 659184. Email philippa.godfrey@sheffield.gov.uk. For out of hours media enquiries ring 07711 153995.

www.sheffield.gov.uk/ www.sra.gov.uk