Media centre

Thursday 16 Jun 2016

Emergency work underway to repair the railway between Buxton and Manchester

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail is carrying out emergency work to repair the railway between Buxton and Hazel Grove after heavy rain last weekend caused significant damage to the track and embankment.

Up to 6,000 tonnes of material were dislodged and washed away after flash floods during Sunday afternoon (12 June) and the early hours of Monday morning (13 June).

In order to reopen the railway and resume services as quickly as possible, Network Rail's orange army will be working quickly and safely to repair the damage as soon as possible. The work involves rebuilding a section of embankment and removing and replacing track and ballast - the stone which provides the foundation of the railway - near Middlewood station.

Terry Strickland, area director for Network Rail said: “Nearly two inches of rain in less than two hours is fairly exceptional and the damage it caused to the railway was not insignificant. We understand the impact that this temporary closure will have on passengers and we will be doing all we can, as quickly and safely as we can, so the railway is reopened as soon as possible.”

Alongside the major work to remove and replace track, other material from the railway and neighbouring land will also have to be removed and several sections of the cutting slope repaired.

Network Rail and Northern continue to work together and will provide regular updates to passengers.

Northern is operating an hourly train service in both directions between Buxton and Furness Vale and rail replacement transport between Furness Vale and Hazel Grove. There will also be rail replacement transport between Furness Vale and New Mills Central to connect into services into Manchester. East Midlands Trains will call additionally at Hazel Grove in both directions until further notice. Customers are reminded to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest information and allow additional travelling time where possible.

Passengers will be told at the earliest opportunity once a confirmed date to reopen is known.