Media centre

Friday 16 Jan 2026

Passenger journeys and car parking affected by Sheffield bridge replacement

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

Passengers are advised of changes to journey times and car parking as a bridge deck in Sheffield is reconstructed to ensure the continued safe running of the railway.

The steel structure carrying the railway over the River Sheaf at Beauchief is now life expired and needs to be replaced.

Passenger services between Sheffield and Chesterfield will be affected on Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March, while the core work takes place.

Preparatory work, which started on Monday (12 January), includes setting up a compound at nearby Dore & Totley station; delivery of materials; erection of scaffolding; and installation of the temporary crane pad.

The compound means changes to parking arrangements at Dore & Totley station, with alternative parking available at Abbeydale Sports Club*.

Both station platforms will remain open and fully accessible throughout the project.

The core work will see the new 73-tonne bridge deck lifted into place by crane. Sixty metres of track will also be renewed, held in place with 86 tonnes of ballast and 90 new sleepers. This will mean on 7-8 March:

• East Midlands Railway (EMR) running an amended and reduced service between Sheffield and London St Pancras, with journey times taking longer than usual between Sheffield and Chesterfield.
• An amended EMR service between Sheffield and Nottingham, and between Nottingham and Norwich, as a result of other engineering work taking place between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield.
• EMR trains between Sheffield and Nottingham calling additionally at Alfreton, Ilkeston and Langley Mill.
• Northern having rail replacement buses between Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Tom Grainger, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said:

“Replacing this life-expired bridge is essential to maintain the safe and reliable operation of the railway between Sheffield and Chesterfield.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by the temporary parking arrangements for Dore & Totley station, and the changes to services on the weekend of 7-8 March, as we deliver this vital upgrade.”

A spokesperson on behalf of EMR and Northern said: 

"We’re working closely with Network Rail to keep passengers moving while this essential upgrade takes place in Sheffield. Services will be amended over the weekend of 7-8 March, so we’re encouraging customers to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys.

"We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while Network Rail carries out this project."

The project is set to be completed and the station car park fully restored by the end of April.

EMR customers can find more travel information by clicking here.