Media centre

Monday 1 Sep 2008

£11m INVESTMENT IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE RAIL TUNNEL

Region & Route:

Network Rail is combining two pieces of essential rail improvement works at Bradway tunnel on the line between Sheffield and Chesterfield.

The work will be carried out between 8 September and 13 December in a total investment worth around £11m.

Bradway tunnel was built between 1865 and 1868 and needs to be repaired and relined with concrete in several parts. When engineers began planning the work on the structure they discovered that the track was due for renewal in 2011/12 which would also require a closure of the tunnel. Following consultation with local groups and train operators, this has been brought forward to coincide with the tunnel work, minimising overall disruption and keeping down costs.

Kevin Preece, area general manager for Network Rail, said: "This common sense solution will bring benefits for passengers, delivering a safe and reliable railway for many years to come. It will reduce the need for intrusive maintenance and the track works should provide passengers with a smoother ride.

"It will take us 13 weeks to do all the work that is needed so we have been working closely with the train operating companies and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive to divert train services where possible. If this cannot be done we are working together to inform passengers and make alternative transport available. We will have a member of staff on duty at Sheffield station to help keep services running smoothly. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by these planned rail improvement works."

David Young, Head of Transport Integration at South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, said; "This engineering work is essential for the future of the railway network in South Yorkshire. We are working closely with the train operating companies to keep passengers informed of diversions and timetable changes. Passengers can call Traveline on 01709 515151 for information or log on to www.travelsouthyorkshire.com."

Amended timetables will be issued for use during this work, which will be available from all staffed stations. Passengers are strongly advised to consult these timetables or speak to station staff to confirm journey times.

Passengers wishing to check their journey can also contact National Rail Enquiries - 08457 48 49 50 or http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/.

Train alterations:

East Midlands Trains services

London to Sheffield services

· Nearly all London to Sheffield services will run via a diversionary route with longer journey times, around nine minutes longer in each direction.

· Some trains will start south of Sheffield due to the lack of platform capacity at Sheffield station.

· A number of trains will be diverted north of Sheffield again due to capacity issues.

Norwich to Liverpool services

· Norwich to Liverpool services will not run between Chesterfield and Sheffield due to the lack of capacity over the diversionary route.

· Other than a couple of peak hour trains, the service will effectively become a Norwich to Chesterfield and Sheffield to Liverpool service. Passengers can change trains at Chesterfield to make connections to Sheffield.

Northern Rail services

Although not operating between Sheffield and Chesterfield Northern Rail services will be affected as more trains than normal use the north end of Sheffield station.

· Some local services between Doncaster and Sheffield will start / terminate at Meadowhall where passengers can connect with other services for onward travel to Sheffield

· Northern Rail’s 08.16 Leeds – Sheffield service will be replaced by an 08.16 East Midlands Trains service, which will operate direct to Sheffield and then stations on to London. Passengers boarding at stations between Leeds and Sheffield are advised to consult timetables for their next available service.

· Services between York and Sheffield via Pontefract Baghill will be replaced by a bus service between Swinton and York

· There will be minor amendments to other local services

CrossCountry services

· Services that normally operate between Bristol and Newcastle will be diverted via Leeds and extended to Edinburgh.

· Services between Plymouth and Edinburgh will run via Doncaster, but start and terminate at York.