News Items

Friends of Glossop Station

Congratulations to the Friends of Glossop Station who won First Place in the 2009 ACoRP Community Rail Awards for the Best Station Adoption Group. See ACoRP's website for more information . http://www.acorp.uk.com/.

Buxton Station

The fanlight at Buxton station has recently been restored by DB Schenker, and now presents a most attractive approach to the station from the west. However Buxton station building is in poor condition and the front is boarded up. The land at the rear of the station is most unattractive at present and the old diesel depot is derelict. Network Rail is planning to refurbish the station building during 2010. The Partnership is working with other partners to improve the site as a whole and provide a better experience for rail travellers.

Whaley Bridge Station

Network Rail have recently announced plans to refurbish Whaley Bridge Station. The Partnership is working with other partners to provide a raised platform and to improve the car parking facilities.

Improved Evening Service For The Hope Valley Line

Following pressure from the partnership, Northern are planning improvements to the evening peak service from Sheffield. The plan is to provide an 18 14 stopping service from Sheffield to Manchester. This will fill a 2 hour gap which currently exists between the 17 14 and 19 14 departures, and make commuting into Sheffield by rail much more attractive. There are still obstacles to be overcome, but the improvement is expected to come into effect in December 2010.

Northern Hub Study Report. 

The Northern Hub Study was published by Network Rail in February 2010. It relates primarily to Manchester and the lines leading into it.  The study highlights the capacity problems particularly at Piccadilly station, on the route from Piccadilly through Oxford Road, and on the Trans-Pennine routes. The problems, although centred on Manchester, affect travel throughout the north of England. 

 

Northern Route Utilisation Study

Network Rail has issued a scoping report for the forth-coming Northern Route Utilisation Study (Northern RUS). The timescale mentioned in the report has already slipped as it was hoped to have draft conclusions in September 2010, with the final conclusions being presented for ORR review in Spring 2011. A draft report is expected in the spring of 2010 and this would be followed by a consultation period. This RUS will be of considerable importance to the Partnership as it covers all the routes in our area. Partners noted that most of the main issues seem to have been addressed already in the Northern Hub Study (see minute 06/10). However, there are potentially still capacity issues on the Hope Valley line, e.g. upgrading the signalling and the possibility of a loop at Hope, line speed/signalling and electrification issues on the Buxton line and infrastructure issues on the Glossop line that need to be considered as part of the wider remit of the Northern RUS