Travel · Rail, Channel & ferries · 18 October 2026
Rail replacement buses to run on Derwent Valley Line in November
Network Rail has announced a £3 million investment to renew track on the Derwent Valley Line. Rail replacement buses will operate between Derby and Matlock from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 November. Services via Chesterfield to Sheffield remain unaffected.
Network Rail has confirmed a £3 million investment to renew track on the Derwent Valley Line. The work is intended to reduce the need for future maintenance and minimise the risk of delays. Eric Larocque, operations director at Network Rail, said: "This investment will renew key sections of track along the Derwent Valley Line, helping us provide a safer, more reliable railway for passengers and freight operators."
The project involves installing 4.6km of new rail, 3,509 sleepers, and 6,400 tonnes of ballast. Locations for the work include Matlock Bath, Cromford, and the area near Whatstandwell station. Eight engineering trains, including a New Track Construction train, will be deployed to carry out the installation. The total length of track to be renewed is listed as 4.5km.
Passengers travelling between Derby and Matlock will need to use rail replacement buses from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 November. Bus stops may be located a short distance from the stations. Travellers are advised to bring only luggage they can carry comfortably and to be mindful of transfer times. Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: "We'd like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding while this vital work takes place."
Services between Derby and Sheffield via Chesterfield will not be affected by the engineering works. The announcement does not specify whether other routes on the line will experience disruptions during the nine-day period.
Written by StreetOwl from Network Rail’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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