Adam Belcher is a local resident who is campaigning to improve transport links in the Crofton, Ryhill and Walton area.

Full statement

He is also keen to defend local services from cuts, and to promote apprenticeships as a path for young people.

Adam has lived in Crofton all his life, having attended Crofton Academy and Barnsley College. He currently studies Computer Science at the University of Birmingham. He is also an author.

"I worry that our community is being left behind. Big cities such as Leeds are receiving lots of funding and are growing rapidly. Young people in our area are missing out on these opportunities because we're not connected."

The local transport situation:

"As a student at Barnsley College, the bus from Crofton ran once an hour or less, and it was often badly delayed. It was a complete nightmare. At university in Birmingham, I have seen how much better transport is in other parts of the country. Trains and buses in the West Midlands run more regularly and on-time. This is clear proof that our area has been left behind. Meanwhile, cities like Leeds and Sheffield are due to be connected by HS2, whilst our area only sees the negatives of HS2 - this isn't fair.

The Wakefield-Doncaster railway line runs through our area. Local trains stop at Sandal and at Fitzwilliam, but Crofton is ignored. Our train station has been closed since the 1950s. Perhaps it is time to ask - should we re-open a station at Crofton? We would love to hear what you think."