Advice from disability groups in the area round Dore and Totley station, between Manchester and Sheffield, has been key to a range of improvements being undertaken at the station.

The groups gave their feedback on station plans, part of the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade project, to Network Rail and contractor VolkerRailStory JV.

One major development at the station is a new footbridge which is being installed. Major consideration was given to accessibility, with two lifts available as part of the bridge design.

The bridge installation was a massive exercise which required a 200-tonne road mobile crane to be brought to the station in order to lift six staircase units into place, each weighing 11.2 tonnes.

The main span across the railway was then lifted into place. The span weighed 14.5 tonnes and is 15 metres long.

Other aspects of accessibility suggested by disability groups include additional tactile paving on the platforms, as well as brighter coloured bands on lighting posts to assist those who have visual impairments.

The new bridge will lead passengers to a second platform. This is being restored after the original island platform was demolished in the 1980s.

New track will be laid and platforms will be extended, enabling longer trains to call at the station.

The Hope Valley Railway Upgrade has also involved the operator of Dore and Totley station, Northern as well as industry colleagues at TransPennine Express and East Midlands Rail. The project began in Spring 2021 and will be completed within weeks, though there will be a nine-day closure of the railway at the end of March.

By the time the project is concluded, a number of bottlenecks between Manchester and Sheffield will have been removed and passenger trains will be able to overtake slower freight operations using the line.

Other improvements include a railway loop between Bamford and Hathersage and a new over-bridge at Hathersage West, which will replace the present foot crossing, thus improving safety at the station. Platform extensions are planned at a number of stations and signalling improvements will improve safety and reliability along the line,

Dave Bennett, Secretary and Chair of High Peak Access, who was involved in the meetings, said: “What has impressed me most is the way the design team have been able to address issues raised during the meetings and the responsiveness of those who have the power to make decisions on design and delivery.

“I have found that our comments have been valued by the team. It has been a pleasure to be part of the process and I am sure that it will benefit disabled people and all users of the newly refurbished station.”

Graeme Whitehead, Senior Sponsor for the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, said:  “The completion of these works is a key milestone for the programme, as we edge closer to full completion of the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade.

“Our plans for Dore and Totley station were centred around accessibility and after careful consultation with a number of groups, the delivery of these upgrades means the area will have a modern station that suits all needs.”