Grayling approves Hope Valley capacity upgrade
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling has approved plans to increase capacity on the Hope Valley route between Manchester and Sheffield.
The scheme involves construction of a passing loop at Bamford, extension of the Dore South curve, and reinstatement of a second track through Dore & Totley station with associated capacity enhancements.
The project would increase capacity on the route by a third, from the present two fast trains and one stopping train per hour to three and two respectively.
An Inspector had recommended that the application for the Transport & Works Act Order should be refused, following an objection from CLH Pipeline Systems. CLH later reached agreement with NR and withdrew its objection.
“This work paves the way for a more frequent and reliable service. The increase in capacity will be welcomed by passengers who have been facing extremely busy services for some time,” said Transport for the North Chief Executive Barry White.
“These improvements all form part of the first early building blocks of Northern Powerhouse Rail, which aims to transform rail connectivity in the north of England through better connectivity between our major economic centres and the proposed Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade work. It will all help pave the way for a comprehensive network of Northern Powerhouse Rail services, which will eventually link in with national main line rail services and to HS2.”
Rail North Director David Hoggarth said: “The good news is we have already secured commitment to improve the existing services, including more capacity and refurbished trains. We are also seeing further short-term improvements to rolling stock on the route.”
Hoggarth added that Rail North “will be pressing” for the release of funding required to undertake detailed design work during 2018-19, with the aim of enabling physical works to start in the following financial year.
Lead member for transport on the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership board Martin McKervey said: “It’s good to see that the Secretary of State has been listening to us, and our collaborative efforts have paid off with this important decision. However, having had this breakthrough we will now be working with Network Rail to make sure the scheme happens.”