Network Rail has announced the completion of a track renewal project at the Alfreton Tunnel, which is hoped to enable smoother and more reliable passenger and freight services between Sheffield and Nottingham.
Work was carried out over the weekend (8-9 August) to renew almost half a kilometre of track through the Derbyshire tunnel, forming part of ongoing efforts to investment in the county’s wider railway.
During the work; teams replaced life-expired track components and employed specialist safety measures, including mobile ventilation systems, to maintain airflow for engineering teams.
Eric Larocque, Network Rail operations director, said:I'd like to thank passengers and our industry partners for their patience while we carried out this important work at Alfreton Tunnel.
The successful renewal of nearly half a kilometre of track will help us provide smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight services using this route for years to come.
I’m grateful to everyone involved in delivering the project safely and efficiently, and to passengers for planning ahead while the work took place.
Network Rail worked closely with both Northern and East Midlands Railway to minimise passenger disruption during the works, with amended train services and rail replacement buses operating throughout the weekend.
The next two weekends (15-16, 22-23 August) will see more investment made into the region as track renewals continue – including further work at Alfreton.
