Media centre

Thursday 23 Apr 2020

Work progressing to improve journeys on Buxton to Manchester railway line

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Major work is taking place to protect the railway from landslips in the picturesque Derbyshire Peak District.

Engineers are upgrading the railway embankment to improve future journeys on the line between Manchester and Buxton as part of the Great North Rail Project.

The earth embankments are being made less steep and the ground made more secure in two locations near Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Network Rail has kept the railway open while carrying out the work to minimise disruption to essential passenger and freight services on the route.

Stephen Townley, senior programme manager at Network Rail, said: “This essential work as part of the Great North Rail Project will make this busy passenger and freight route more reliable in the future.

“In these challenging times, the importance of freight traffic has been brought into sharp focus, so completing this work safely with minimal disruption to trains is hugely important.

“We’re also working differently so that we can continue to deliver essential work while following guidelines on social distancing. This is to protect our railway staff who are working tirelessly to keep the country moving during the Covid-19 crisis.”

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, said: “This is really positive news. These works will help improve train reliability on the Buxton line, which will be very welcome for my constituents who travel from Buxton, Dove Holes, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Whaley Bridge, Furness Vale and New Mills.

“I’m very grateful to those who are continuing to work on this essential project, during this very difficult time.”

Work began in January 2020 and is expected to complete in May.