Media centre

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010

FEWER RAIL REPLACEMENT BUSES DURING IMPROVEMENT WORKS AFTER CHESTERFIELD STATION UPGRADE

Region & Route:

A new platform at Chesterfield station will allow rail services to run while essential improvement works are being carried out on the line.

Platform 3, which was completed by Network Rail this week, will help keep rail passengers on trains – and off buses.

Mark Tarry, area general manager for Network Rail, said; “We know that passengers don’t like changing from trains to buses and Network Rail has made a commitment to keep services running 7-days a week.  However, we also need to maintain and improve the railway and protect our people’s safety while they are completing works. 

“This new platform will allow us to keep services running while we are working on the tracks or during times of external disruption, reducing inconvenience to passengers.”

The new platform is fully accessible and can accommodate 10 car trains.  It is accessed from platform 2 and will be gated off when not in use.

Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, added:  “This is a positive step forward for the industry. From feedback we receive, we know that passengers don’t always like using replacement bus services, but this is often our only option to keep passengers on the move during improvement work.  

“The new platform at Chesterfield will make a real difference, and we are pleased that our passengers will benefit from this investment. We are supportive of Network Rail’s commitment to a 7 day railway and will continue to work with them to develop this even further.”

The scheme has cost around £2.6million.