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Monday 10 Aug 2026

Alfreton Tunnel track renewal completed to improve journeys between Sheffield and Nottingham

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Network Rail has successfully completed a track renewal project at Alfreton Tunnel, helping to deliver smoother and more reliable journeys for passenger and freight services between Sheffield and Nottingham.

Engineers worked over the weekend of 8 and 9 August to renew nearly half a kilometre of track through the Derbyshire tunnel as part of ongoing investment in the railway.

The project saw teams replace life-expired track components, helping to improve ride quality and reduce the likelihood of future faults on this section of railway. Work inside the tunnel was carried out using specialist safety measures, including mobile ventilation systems to maintain airflow for engineering teams.

Eric Larocque, Network Rail operations director, said:

“I'd like to thank passengers and our industry partners for their patience while we carried out this important work at Alfreton Tunnel.

“The successful renewal of nearly half a kilometre of track will help us provide smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight services using this route for years to come.

“I’m grateful to everyone involved in delivering the project safely and efficiently, and to passengers for planning ahead while the work took place.”

Network Rail worked closely with Northern and East Midlands Railway to minimise disruption to passengers during the engineering works, with amended train services and rail replacement buses operating throughout the weekend.

Investment in the region – including further track renewal at Alfreton – continues over the next two weekends (Saturday 15, Sunday 16, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August).