Media centre

Tuesday 13 Jun 2023

16 days of major track upgrades in Derbyshire tunnels now complete

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Engineers have worked around the clock over the last 16 days to deliver major upgrades to the track in Clay Cross and Milford tunnels in Derbyshire. 

Teams from Network Rail have worked over 17,000 hours to completely renew the track in the two tunnels on the Midland Main Line. The 183-year-old Clay Cross tunnel has benefitted from drainage upgrades, new sleepers, specialist equipment which supports the rails, and ballast, the stones used for drainage and track support. Special coated rails have been installed under the ten tunnel shafts to make them more resilient during poor weather. 

Significant upgrades have also been completed at Milford tunnel, with over 2 miles of track renewed at both tunnels.  

Between both schemes, a total of 32 engineering trains were used to replace 5040 sleepers, 12,322 tonnes of ballast and 360 tonnes of rail. All this work means that passengers will benefit from a safer and more reliable railway. 

Network Rail worked closely with East Midlands Railway (EMR) and CrossCountry during this intensive programme of works, with rail replacement buses and rail diversions keeping passengers on the move throughout.  

Steve Hopkinson, Operations Director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: “It is great to see that this essential work to fully upgrade the tracks in these two Derbyshire tunnels has now been completed. 

“I would like to thank everyone for their patience whilst we carried out this significant programme of work, which will bring much smoother and more reliable journeys to our passengers and freight users travelling through the two tunnels.” 

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for EMR, said: “We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Network Rail carried out the track renewal works around North Derby.  

“Our customers will benefit from improvements to both Milford and Clay Cross Tunnels for years to come.” 

John Robson, CrossCountry’s Regional Director for the East Midlands & East Anglia, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while work has been underway on one of our key routes between Derby and Chesterfield. The essential work carried out over the last 16 days means that our passengers can count on the railway to deliver swift, reliable journeys through Derbyshire for years to come.” 

Clay Cross North County Councillor Charlotte Cupit visited Clay Cross tunnel on 2 June to see the work taking place, she said: “Many thanks to everyone who has been involved in this major local project. During the works, it was a privilege to be able to visit Clay Cross Tunnel to see this historic site and to learn more about the upgrade to a key part of our local rail infrastructure. Thank you to Network Rail for organising this.” 

ENDS