Network Rail is thanking residents and motorists after unexpected complications to essential railway bridge maintenance on a main road between Hadfield and Glossop led to an extended road closure.

Work to strengthen and waterproof the railway bridge on Park Road to make it safer for road users and rail passengers began in October 2021 and was due to be complete by January.

However, engineers found uncharted water pipes, drains and electricity cables in the Victorian-built structure after they removed the road surface.

While some of the services were redundant, some were live which meant workers had to dig around them by hand - significantly slowing progress.

Last month it was expected the road would have to stay closed until the end of March.

Because the delay clashed with other roadworks causing further congestion on local roads, Network Rail has been working with Derbyshire County Council on how best to reinstate the road.

The Park Road bridge in Hadfield has safely reopened to traffic, despite the bridge work not being fully complete.

It means that later in the year Network Rail will need to return to finish its essential repairs.

Electricity North West will also carry out its work within the bridge structure at the same time to minimise further disruption to local people.

John Ackroyd, Network Rail project manager, said: “We’re sorry to people impacted by the extended closure of Park Road in Hadfield and the disruption this has been causing to the community.

“This work is crucial to secure the bridge on the Hadfield branch of the Glossop to Manchester line. While we know it’s not ideal we have to come back again to finish off the project at a later date, I do hope that in the short-term traffic in the area improves and we can return when it doesn’t clash with other planned road closures.”

Network Rail say it is working with the electricity provider and Derbyshire County Council to decide when the least disruptive time to complete the Park Road project will be.

Images credit: Network Rail

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