Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Hope Valley Line Plans

14th February 2018

Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport, has approved a long-awaited scheme that will improve reliability and reduce delays for trains on the congested Sheffield to Manchester route.

Peter Kennan, Chair of Sheffield Chamber Transport Forum, commented: "Some good news today for Sheffield City Region. The Secretary of State has finally approved the works on the Hope Valley Line upgrade after over a year of delay. "This paves the way for a third fast train per hour over the route from Sheffield to Manchester. "Basically, this involves creating a second track and platform at Dore and Totley and creating a loop line at Bamford, so that slower trains (particularly cement and stone trains) can be kept out of the way of faster ones. "Our next challenge is to ensure that the view of the East Midlands Councils does not prevail. They have asked that the third fast train is run direct from Chesterfield to Manchester via Dore South curve thereby by-passing Sheffield, justifying their request by looking at the reduced journey time from the East Midlands to Manchester. This, of course, would defeat the Northern Powerhouse agenda of improving Sheffield to Manchester transport links. On behalf of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, I will be watching that one closely." For more information on the scheme click here