Seven-week closure to stop railway subsidence

Tonnes of earth could fall into the River Goyt

Rail passengers are being warned to expect seven weeks of closures on a line where urgent work is taking place to stop potentially catastrophic subsidence.

A section of the railway line between Manchester and Sheffield, which has been hit by closures and cancellations since a landslip in March, will close completely from Saturday until 25 August.

Replacement buses will run between New Mills Central and Chinley stations.

Network Rail said: "If the work is not carried out, there is a risk of 50,000 tonnes of earth falling from the railway into the River Goyt."

Vitesh Solanki, Network Rail’s scheme project manager, added: “I’m sorry for the disruption the rail closure will cause passengers.

"The closure is the safest and quickest way for us to carry out the work so we can reopen the line fully to passengers as soon as possible."

'Safety-critical work'

Engineers have been working around the clock in Hague Bar, New Mills, to stabilise the earth that supports the railway.

Foundations are being drilled into the earth and a new wall is being built between the river and railway to stop earth movement.

Train company Northern thanked customers in advance for "their patience while this important safety-critical work is carried out".

The work sees changes in services between Manchester and New Mills Central via Bredbury.

From Monday to Saturday there will be an hourly service between Manchester Piccadilly and Marple with a replacement bus service between Marple and Chinley.

On Sundays, an hourly bus service will run between Manchester Piccadilly, Bredbury, Marple and Chinley.

Services between Chinley and Manchester Piccadilly continue to divert via Hazel Grove and Stockport.