Media centre

Wednesday 21 Jan 2015

Have your say on updated plans for the Hope Valley rail line

Region & Route:

Members of the public are invited to comment on plans to construct two new sections of railway track near Dore & Totley station and between Bamford and Hathersage.

Network Rail intends to deliver this package of work to allow more trains to run on the Hope Valley railway line between Sheffield and Manchester. The work is a key part of over £1 billion of investment to deliver faster, more frequent services across the north of England.

Phil Verster Route Managing Director for Network Rail said: “The updated plans to improve the railway between Manchester and Sheffield are an important part of a wider programme of investment in the north of England. Demand for train travel between the two cities is increasing, with forecasts showing by 2029 demand will grow by 56% in Sheffield and 66% in Manchester. These proposals will deliver better journeys on the Hope Valley line, improving capacity, frequency and reliability.”

Consultations were held on the original plans in November 2013. These proposals included the construction of a new 1km passing loop near Grindleford station as well as improvements around Dore & Totley station. Since then, the project has developed a new option to the East of Bamford station as a replacement for the previous proposal at Grindleford

While Grindleford was the optimum location for new track that would allow four fast trains to run each hour between Manchester and Sheffield; timetable constraints meant it would not be possible to evenly space those services. As a result, the rail industry decided to progress plans for three fast trains per hour and a review of the scheme developed the revised proposals for Bamford.

The new option close to Bamford is easier to build than the previous one at Grindleford and does not affect any ancient woodland. The new plan will also free up capacity for additional local stopping services.

Proposals for the area east of Bamford station include a new section of track running alongside the existing railway between the station and Jaggers Lane in Hathersage. At Dore, the railway line between West View Lane and Dore West Junction will be extended and a new platform constructed with a footbridge and lifts at Dore & Totley Station.

A Transport and Works Act Order from the Secretary of State for Transport will be required to build the new sections of track. It is anticipated that an application will be submitted in summer 2015 following a period of consultation and, subject to consent, work is due to complete by the end of 2018.