Engineers have begun work to alleviate a long-time bottleneck on the Hope Valley Railway line at Bamford.
This will improve service reliability for rail passengers travelling between Manchester and Sheffield.
The first 340 metres of track for a new one kilometre-long passing loop between Bamford and Hathersage have now been laid. This will be used by slower trains to enable faster services to continue on at high speed.
The line through Hope Valley was closed during tracklaying, with engineers working around the clock using machinery including heavy lift excavators, a dozer and a tamper.
This is part of the wider Hope Valley Railway Upgrade project, which aims to bring an end to several historic bottlenecks while upgrading stations along the line.
This will improve reliability along the line as well as allow for more carriages on services to meet future demand.
Works include a new platform and accessible footbridge with lifts at Dore & Totley station, a new overbridge at Hathersage West, signalling improvements and platform extensions.
Already this year, over 700 metres of new track have been installed in Dore & Totley.
Work has also already been completed to extend a bridge that will enable the second line of track through the station, along with a new platform and accessible footbridge.
“These vital improvements will transform journeys on the historic Hope Valley line, making services faster and more reliable for passengers in the North.
“Backed by £137 million Government funding, the upgrades will boost connections between two thriving Northern cities while ensuring our stations are inclusive and accessible for all.”
