Network Rail has replaced 3km of track on the Calder Valley line between Littleborough and Walsden stations, which includes the lines inside the 180-year-old Summit Tunnel, one of the world’s oldest railway tunnels.
The work was part of the £2m Great North Rail Project Investment.
The line was closed for nine days and reopened on Monday 1 November. Passengers between Manchester and Leeds should now have smoother and more reliable journeys.
During the closure, Network Rail also worked with the Environment Agency to upgrade a culvert beneath tracks as part of its large flood defence project. For more information on the Environment Agency’s flood defence work visit: https://thefloodhub.co.uk/rochdale-and-littleborough/
Karen Hornby, Network Rail’s North West head of performance and customer relationship, said: “I’d like to thank passengers and local people for their patience while we upgraded tracks between Littleborough and Todmorden as part of the Great North Rail Project. The work will mean fewer train delays for passengers on the Calder Valley line and means the tracks inside the Victorian-built structure are fit for the 21st century.
“We’re continuing our work in partnership with the Environment Agency to install a new culvert which will create a diversion for the Greenvale Brook beneath the railway.”
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The improvements at Summit Tunnel are the latest in a huge programme of work being carried out by the rail industry to make journeys better for customers.
“The work carried out by Network Rail goes hand-in-hand with our own improvements to trains, stations and ticketing options, which are achieving our vision of making a positive impact for the North.”
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Responses
Quote “…means the tracks inside the Victorian-built structure are fit for the 21st century.” Unquote
You don’t appear to include electrification.