The investment is part of the Great North Rail Project and will be used to lengthen freight sidings in Buxton by 430 metres. This will allow longer freight trains to operate across the railway network, transporting construction materials from quarries in the Buxton area to destinations across Britain.
Network Rail says that extending the track will allow freight trains to increase their number of wagons from 18 to 26, enabling up to 2,500 tonnes of materials to be transported by each train.
The railway operator adds that longer trains will also help improve the environment, as each freight train takes 76 lorries off the road and each tonne of freight transported by rail cuts carbon emissions by 76%.
The 430m railway extension runs through a former council-run waste facility which will be made safe and landscaped.
Network Rail will install 1,822 metres of new drainage to make the sidings able to cope with heavy rainfall. The existing public footbridge will also be extended and better lighting will be fitted to limit the impact of light on nearby residents.
The Buxton sidings project started in March 2018 and is due for completion in April 2019.
