Duffield: Plan to divert railway around landslip

The landslip appeared about a year ago but was made more unstable by Storm Babet

A Derbyshire railway line will be moved about three metres to avoid a landslip.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, which runs between Duffield and Wirksworth, says it has lost more than £30,000 after the landslip closed part of the line.

Chairman Neil Ferguson-Lee explained this figure was a combination of increased costs and lost revenue.

The railway is now looking to raise £30,000 to divert the line and repair the landslip ahead of the busier summer months.

So far, £8,000 has been collected, meaning work can start within the next two weeks.

Neil Ferguson-Lee appealed for the people of Derbyshire to help

Mr Ferguson-Lee said the funds had caused a "great boost to our morale", as the timeframe for an insurance pay out was approximately 17 weeks.

The landslip began about a year ago, but Storm Babet worsened the situation, and the slip is now encroaching on the line near Duffield.

Workers will now look to shift 300m of track about three metres to the left in a gradual curve, meaning trains can safely run, while work to permanently repair the landslip is carried out.

Mr Ferguson-Lee said: "To do that, we're going to have to level the ground, make sure the drainage is in good condition, and put ballast down, then move the track.

"We're hoping to start work within the next two weeks and in turn we hope to have the line open, certainly for the beginning of May, hopefully a little earlier, we pray not much later.

"The £30,000 will pay for the ballast, mechanical handling, and all the things that we'll find need to be replaced and repaired when the work takes place."