Sheffield trains: Midland Mainline and Dore station car park to close for bridge replacement works
Construction work on a railway bridge will close a major route to the capital for two days - and a station car park for four months.
The structure carrying the Midland Mainline over the River Sheaf at Beauchief needs to be replaced, according to Network Rail.
A 73-tonne bridge will be lifted into place and 60m of track replaced over two days in March, when trains will be diverted or replaced by buses.
The work will also see Dore and Totley railway station car park close to make way for a works compound, with parking shifted to Abbeydale Sports Club.
A compound will be set up at Dore and Totley station for materials, scaffolding and a temporary crane pad. Car parking will be moved from the railway station to Abbeydale Sports Club.
The station car park is set to be “fully restored” by the end of April, Network Rail says.
Tom Grainger, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said: “Replacing this life-expired bridge is essential to maintain the safe and reliable operation of the railway between Sheffield and Chesterfield.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by the temporary parking arrangements for Dore and Totley station, and the changes to services on the weekend of 7-8 March, as we deliver this vital upgrade.”
The bridge replacement will hit passenger services between Sheffield and Chesterfield on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8.
Over those two days, East Midlands Railway (EMR) will run an amended and reduced service between Sheffield and London St Pancras.
EMR services to Nottingham and Norwich will also be affected, with trains to Nottingham calling additionally at Alfreton, Ilkeston and Langley Mill.
Northern will be running rail replacement buses between Sheffield and Chesterfield.
A spokesperson for EMR and Northern said: "We’re working closely with Network Rail to keep passengers moving while this essential upgrade takes place in Sheffield. Services will be amended over the weekend of 7-8 March, so we’re encouraging customers to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys.
"We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while Network Rail carries out this project."