Dan Jarvis: Transport improvements hold key to economic success in South Yorkshire

A fortnight ago Nikken, a precision tools manufacturer in Rotherham, signed a multi-million-pound deal to supply the new Boeing factory located between Sheffield and Rotherham.

It is a brilliant demonstration of both the talent our county already has and the benefits of attracting global business.

International investment brings new opportunities, new jobs, higher wages and greater prosperity. It is essential to addressing decades of under-investment, regional inequality and low productivity that impacts upon all of us who live in the North of England.

As part of the platform I was elected upon, I promised to fight for a more inclusive form of prosperity.

In order to do this I will establish a more vibrant, successful and co-operative economy in South Yorkshire. That means all of our residents playing their part in creating the economy we need as well as benefiting from the proceeds of growth.

Too few people in South Yorkshire have a decent income or get their fair share of our nation’s wealth. The average weekly salary here in South Yorkshire is £60 less than the UK’s average, businesses are not as productive as they could be and we’re exporting skilled people to other parts of the country rather than keeping them here.

We have an antiquated transport system that is chronically short of investment and that doesn’t move the residents or businesses around the region as it should.

Journey times and experiences between the urban centres of Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield are simply not acceptable and Doncaster Sheffield Airport isn’t yet connected to regional or national train services.

All of this reduces our productivity and acts as a brake on our potential. And yet, there’s no shortage of talent, no shortage of ideas, and since my election no lack of political will to sort this out.

The first step in this process is to get the transport system fit for the 21st century. All the evidence tells us that if you get that right everything else follows. Last week I submitted an ambitious bid to Government for funding to get us going. If we’re successful – and I’ll be doing everything in my power to make sure we are – we can get moving with projects in the near future.