The Department for Transport (DfT) has approved a plan for a train station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which is currently facing closure.

The approval is subject to the airport remaining open as the five-mile track scheme would be delivered in five years.

Local authorities say the station would improve access to DSA, extending the catchment area to around 9 million people within a 90-minute travel time, equivalent to the catchment of Manchester Airport.

However, owners Peel said last month that the airport’s future is in doubt as it ‘may no longer be commercially viable’.

A petition to save DSA was launched immediately afer Peel said it was considering closing the airport, but last week Aviation Minister Robert Courts said the Goverment had no intention of stepping in.