Engineers are approaching the final phase of a major project to improve passenger journeys and road safety through Whaley Bridge in the High Peak.

Network Rail has spent £5.1m on overhauling the Buxton Road railway bridge, which carries the Buxton line over the main road through the town. The upgrade has involved rebuilding the structure while retaining a third of the original, Victorian-era Grade II listed bridge span.

Several weeks of grit blasting and repainting of the remaining original 160-year-old structure have now concluded, and the road below will partially reopen during Friday daytime. Traffic lights will allow road users to pass safely under the bridge while finishing touches to masonry and the historic steelwork are completed during April.

For the work to be safely carried out, the railway has been closed, allowing engineers to lift a new concrete bridge into place. Buxton Road has been entirely closed to traffic since January. Ahead of it reopening this Friday (31 March), Network Rail has thanked motorists, local people and businesses for their patience.

Once reopened, all vehicles including HGVs and buses will be able travel underneath the structure, and public transport arrangements will return to normal. By the end of the month, both lanes of Buxton Road are expected to fully reopen.

Network Rail has worked closely with High Peak Borough Council and Historic England to make sure the work is carried out in consideration of the 1863 built bridge’s heritage status.

Throughout the remaining work in April, one footway will always remain open underneath the bridge for pedestrians. Network Rail states that on “a couple of occasions”, the road will need to be fully closed for periods of around six hours overnight to allow engineers to move scaffolding and install any remaining signage prior to the road fully opening.

Helena Williams, Network Rail scheme project manager, said: “March has been truly transformative for Buxton Road bridge – it started with trains running safely for passengers over the new structure and ends with us being able to reveal the restoration work and painting complete on the retained 160-year-old steelwork.

“It means we can reopen Buxton Road to traffic again from this Friday, with traffic lights in place while the team safely makes finishing touches to the remaining masonry and steelwork throughout April. I’d like to thank local people once again for their patience and understanding and hope they are as impressed with the restored bridge as we are.”