Recent months have also seen improvements undertaken elsewhere along the route. The lift shafts for the new, accessible footbridge, have been constructed at Dore & Totley station, and track upgrade work has been carried out along the line near Stockport.

Graham Whitehead, senior sponsor at Network Rail, said: “The Hope Valley project team has been working hard to deliver a huge amount of work in recent weeks to ensure that key elements of construction are completed on time.

“Work is progressing well, with the scheme well on its way to delivering benefits and improved reliability for passengers travelling via train between Manchester and Sheffield.”

Martin Smith, board member from the VolkerRailStory joint venture, said: “It is testament to the expertise and dedication of the teams at Hope Valley that the huge amount of work to maintain the programme has been delivered, whilst facing the challenges of extreme weather. Thank you and well done.”

Over the next six months, the VolkerRailStory joint venture will complete the final stages of work, including installing the remaining footbridge in Dore & Totley, track replacement work in Grindleford and signalling improvements along the line.

The Hope Valley Railway Upgrade involves the construction of new infrastructure and track, and signalling improvements to remove bottlenecks along the line, and allow passenger trains to pass slower freight trains along the route.

Once complete, the scheme will improve reliability and journey times of trains travelling between Manchester and Sheffield.