Media centre

Thursday 3 Nov 2011

PENISTONE PASSENGERS SET FOR SMOOTHER RIDE

Region & Route:

Rail passengers on the Penistone line will have a smoother ride and a more reliable railway after Network Rail completes substantial track renewals on the route.

The work will see more than four miles of track replaced with main work starting next week (7 November) until mid-December.

Chris Jackson, area general manager for Network Rail, said: “The Penistone line is a key route for commuters into Sheffield as well as a popular leisure route. This latest investment in the line will help to make life more comfortable for passengers travelling on the route and to support further growth in passenger numbers.

“We’re using all resources available to make sure the works are completed in a timely and efficient way. That includes the use of the new track construction machine which recently set a record for track relaying – managing 1,002 yards in just 9 hours and 38 minutes.”

Rail services will be disrupted late at night between Monday and Friday for the five weeks of the works.

Richard Allan, assistant area director for Northern Rail comments: "Due to the engineering work, our weekday services after 9pm between Barnsley and Huddersfield will be replaced by buses. Passengers should bear in mind that journey times could be longer. Once complete, the work will certainly bring real benefits to our passengers and we apologise for any inconvenience caused while the work is carried out. Passengers should consult posters at stations along the route or visit www.northernrail.org for further information"

Neil Bentley, chair of the Penistone Line Partnership said "We are delighted that Network Rail is investing in the long term future of the Penistone Line. It is particularly pleasing to see the work is being done on weekday nights thereby keeping disruption to passengers to the very minimum."