Rotherham is undergoing a major transformation of its town centre through the Renaissance Towns Programme.

An improved Central Railway Station forms part of the 25-year masterplan to make Rotherham a more vibrant and successful place.

Working in partnership, to get an exciting and innovative design for the station, Yorkshire Forward, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) prepared a brief for an architects' design competition. An architectural practice Aedas, won the competition and is now preparing detailed designs for the improvements to Rotherham Central Railway Station.

The station improvements will provide a welcoming gateway to the town centre and enhance rail users experience through the creation of a first-class station environment. The high-quality design will create a flagship piece of architecture that will inject interest in the town and encourage further regenerative investment. Work on site is due to start in 2009 and the improvements will provide a new passenger lounge, retail kiosk, travel and ticket office, as well as improved transport facilities. We expect the station improvements to be complete in summer 2010.