Government announces £137million upgrade for Hope Valley train line

Andrew Stephenson MP, Minister of State for Transport, announced today the money that the money will be going to Network Rail to upgrade the train line between Manchester and Sheffield.

In the House of Commons, during Transport Oral Questions, the Rail Minister said: “The Government is committed to levelling up rail infrastructure across the north,

and in that spirit I am delighted to confirm that we have awarded £137m to Network Rail to complete detailed designs and deliver the Hope Valley capacity scheme.

“This scheme will transform journeys between the Northern Powerhouse cities of Manchester and Sheffield by removing bottlenecks on the Hope Valley line.

"I pay tribute to the Member for High Peak, who has campaigned for this scheme and has helped get it over the line.”

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The delivery of this £137million upgrade scheme will create faster services for High Peak residents and the whole region. Passenger services will be able to overtake slower freight trains, allowing more trains to run and increasing the reliability of services.

Network Rail will improve sections of the railway around Bamford, Jaggers Lane Bridge in Hathersage, and Dore and Totley station, which will have a second platform added, meeting future demand and increasing capacity.

High Peak MP Robert Largan said he has been heavily involved in campaigning for the funding.

Welcoming the announcement, he said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Government has listened to the people of High Peak and is moving forward with this £137m investment in the Hope Valley line.

“This is a really big win for the High Peak and the North. This capacity upgrade investment will help deliver a more frequent and more reliable train service.

“This marks the biggest investment in High Peak’s public transport in my lifetime. I want to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. This shows what we can achieve when we all work together.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2022 with completion by December 2023. This timetable will allow design work to be finalised, meet planning conditions, and deliver value for money for rail users and taxpayers.

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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Robert Largan has been making the case for these vital capacity upgrades to the Hope Valley line since he was elected as an MP.

“I’m delighted that, with Robert’s help, we’ve now been able to get these plans over the line and announce £137 million to undertake the work on the Hope Valley line.

“The scheme will help more trains to run, increase reliability on the line and transform journeys between Manchester and Sheffield – a true example of this Government’s levelling up agenda in action. “