Media centre

Tuesday 7 May 2024

New Mills residents invited to find out more about railway work

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

Network Rail is inviting residents in New Mills, High Peak, to an information drop-in event about urgent railway work on Thursday 9 May.

Following recent emergency ground investigations, engineers have confirmed that work is required immediately to repair damage to the earth that supports the railway.

Engineers are working 24/7 to stabilise the embankment in the Hague Bar area of New Mills, which is likely to continue until autumn.

If the work is not carried out, there is a risk of 50,000 tonnes of earth falling from the railway into the River Goyt.

Residents in New Mills are invited to find out more about the work at a community drop-in event. The event is being held at the New Mills Volunteering Centre between 4:30 and 7pm on Thursday 9 May.

The project team will be able to answer questions that residents may have about the work, and share more information about how they might be impacted.

Chris Pye, Network Rail’s North West route infrastructure director, said: “We are grateful to the community at New Mills for their patience and understanding while carry out emergency work in Hague Bar.

“We need to make the earth that supports the railway safe for train services. I’m very sorry for the disturbance the work may cause residents. We will make sure to be good neighbours during our time in New Mills, which we expect to last until autumn.”

The team will be drilling foundations into the earth and building a wall between the railway and the river to stop the movement of the ground.

This will be carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to the community and to reopen the railway fully as soon as possible.

Passengers travelling between New Mills Central and Manchester Piccadilly are being warned of disruption to train journeys as one line of track is closed and there are some changes to services in the area.

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “We join Network Rail in apologising to customers for the disruption caused whilst these essential infrastructure repairs are carried out. Customers should check before they travel in case they need to allow extra time for their journey.”

Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield services are currently operating via Stockport calling at all stations between Chinley and Dore and Totley.

Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills Central services are operating using a single line between Marple and New Mills Central.

Marple continues to be served by up to three trains per hour – two from Rose Hill and one from Marple At peak times there are two trains an hour from Marple.

On Sundays, rail replacement buses are in operation between Piccadilly – Chinley via Marple. Sheffield trains divert via Stockport, as per weekdays.

Passengers are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before they travel.