A road at Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire has had to be closed whilst essential work takes place to replace a Grade II listed bridge.

The bridge, at Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire’s High Peak, was built in 1863, but despite regular maintenance over the years, it is in need of urgent repair to keep rail passengers and the local community safe for years to come. Network Rail is investing £5.1m to replace the bridge, which takes the railway over Buxton Road.

From 17th to 28th February, train services will be disrupted with no services between Hazel Grove and Buxton, and passengers intending to travel during this period should check beforehand at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Although Network Rail has tried to plan the work so that there is minimal disruption to road users, local people and businesses, it will be necessary to completely close the bridge to all road traffic until 31st March, and to pedestrians until 5th March. The work is expected to be complete by the end of April.

Unless this work is carried out there is a real risk that if a high vehicle struck the bridge, trains would not be able to use it for many months, which would prevent trains running to Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Dove Holes, and Buxton.

Owing to the bridge’s heritage status and its geography over the main road in and out of Whaley Bridge, its renewal is complex and needs a complete road closure for several weeks.

Following suggestions from local people, during the bridge’s closure, a shuttle bus service will be provided to help people with additional mobility needs get from one side of Whaley Bridge to the other. The closure will also affect local bus services, and Network Rail is working with the local bus company on ways to supplement bus services during the road closure.

Details of the additional bus services and alternative routes for road traffic are expected to be finalised by the end of this week and will be publicised locally.

Because of the bridge’s heritage status, Network Rail is working with High Peak Borough Council and Historic England to make sure the work is carried out sympathetically. Around one-third of the original structure team will be preserved, whilst the rest of the bridge will be in keeping with its original design.

Further information about how conservation work is being carried out across the railway network can be found at www.networkrail.co.uk/working-with-railway-heritage.

Rob Stephens, Network Rail principal route engineer, said: “It was positive to meet residents and business owners recently so we could have the chance to explain in detail why this vital bridge upgrade needs to be carried out, and also fully understand their concerns and what more we could do to reduce the impacts of our work on the town.

“Because of the bridge’s special heritage status, we have to preserve as many of its original features as possible, which means the work will take much longer than a standard bridge replacement.

“We’re committed to keeping everyone up to date while our work to secure Whaley Bridge’s railway link progresses and will be working as hard as we can to make sure the full road closure is as short as possible.”