Politics
Doncaster Mayor's 2026 Infrastructure and Skills Programme Directs Funds to Local Transport Projects
The programme commits council resources to rail and road upgrades that are projected to support employment in construction and maintenance roles for residents in Doncaster.
How we reported this
The Doncaster Mayor's office published the 2026 Infrastructure and Skills Programme on 7 July, allocating resources from the council budget to upgrades on the East Coast Main Line corridor and the A638 corridor. The measures target construction positions and service contracts that will be open to applicants living within the borough.
National devolution arrangements finalised in 2025 transferred additional spending powers to combined authorities in South Yorkshire. Doncaster Council incorporated those powers into its annual budget documents, which set out spending lines for transport and training through 2028.
Effects on employment and daily services
Residents seeking work in the building trades can apply for training places at Doncaster College linked to the programme. Contracts for resurfacing sections of the A638 between Doncaster and Bawtry are expected to require crews drawn from the local labour market. Bus operators running routes to the iPort logistics park will receive timetable adjustments funded under the same heading, which the council states will reduce average journey times for shift workers.
The budget papers record an allocation of £38 million for the combined transport and skills measures. Of that sum, £12 million is assigned to station platform extensions at Doncaster railway station and £9 million to apprenticeship grants administered through the council's economic development unit. The remaining funds cover feasibility studies and contract management.
Procurement notices for the first phase of works are scheduled for release in September 2026. The council has stated that successful bidders must demonstrate recruitment plans that prioritise candidates from Doncaster postcodes. Applications for the linked training courses will open through the council website on the same date.