Landslip repair appeal firmly on track

WELL-WISHERS have responded generously to a £30,000 appeal to pay for repairs which will allow Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (EVR) trains to resume operating over the full-length of the line following a landslip.

As previously reported (RM July 2023), on April 2 it was found that a landslip had occurred in the cutting north of Duffield close to the footbridge. Interlocking concrete ‘Lego’ blocks weighing about one ton each were installed to hold back the slope. EVR trains began running through to Duffield on June 10 – services having been curtailed since April.

However, heavy rain on October 20 (RM December

2023) caused the landslip to slump further, resulting in the ‘Lego blocks’ moving by a few inches. Since then, trains have run only from Wirksworth to Shottle rather than the full route to Duffield.

Response

A plan has been developed to realign the track away from the landslide. Within two weeks of the EVR launching its appeal to pay for the work on February 1, donations had crossed the halfway mark. This allowed work to begin on February 12 with the marking-out of the track diversion.

“This work involves surveying the site and using wooden pegs to mark the new centreline of the track,” said Neil FergusonLee, chairman of WyvernRail plc, which runs the EVR.

“From there, the next stage will be to upgrade the drainage in the cutting. There is already a drainage ditch on the west side of the cutting, and this will be redug and, where necessary, piping installed. Fortunately, we upgraded the drainage in the cutting about 20 years ago, so we don’t have ‘downstream’ issues to contend with.

“Meanwhile, we are marshalling materials and equipment – and that includes approaching local quarries to see if they might be able to donate some ballast. We will need about 300 tonnes of crushed stone and as the retail cost could amount to as much as £40,000 you will understand why we are seeking donations from quarries. Fortunately, we do live in limestone country, so we’re ever hopeful.”

Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/ operation-duffield