An iconic railway viaduct which is crucial to the Peak District quarrying industry is getting a multi-million-pound upgrade this summer.

Network Rail is investing £7.5m to improve one of Chapel Milton’s twin Victorian viaducts between now and the autumn.

The 160-year-old 15-arch structure is key to the country’s freight network, allowing services to transport stone, cement and limestone from four major Derbyshire quarries to destinations across Great Britain.

These goods are essential for the construction sector, which uses the materials to build homes, roads and railway upgrades such as HS2. 

On average 25,000 tonnes of material is carried over the viaduct daily.

To keep those freight services moving safely and reliably in future, the project team will carry out a range of work including filling in voids across each span to strengthen the structure, repairing brickwork, reinforcing parapets, installing new waterproofing and drainage systems and handrails and guardrails to improve the safety for workers and replacing and realigning the railway track.

In September, the Great Rocks freight line will close for nine days as contractor AmcoGiffen carries out the essential improvements.

To carry out this work safely, the line over the viaduct will be closed between 29 August and 7 September 2025. The track will be removed and then replaced when the work is complete.  

Network Rail has worked closely with freight companies to plan the work with as little disturbance to their operations as possible. 

David Hunter, Network Rail’s senior freight manager for the North West and Central region, said: “Chapel Milton viaduct is the only route allowing freight services to transport aggregate from four major Derbyshire quarries to serve the construction sector.

“It is a Grade II listed Victorian structure and requires a modern touch to make sure freight trains can pass over it safely and efficiently for generations to come. 

“Around 25,000 tonnes of material is transported across the viaduct every day. Each train takes about 76 wagons off the roads. The longevity of the viaduct is essential to the success of the economy and reducing the carbon footprint of the construction sector.” 

Engineers are already in the area preparing the site for the major work.