crich area community news
News from the Derwent Valley Line
More passenger improvements on the Derwent Valley Line
Rail passengers on the Derwent Valley Line are set to benefit from even more train improvements commencing on Sunday 13 December.
These improvements come on the back of the successful introduction of the significantly improved East Midlands Trains timetable introduced in December 2008. This resulted in a new hourly service from the majority of stations along the Derwent Valley Line, with direct through services to Nottingham. Previously, trains ran every two hours between Matlock and Derby, so the increase to hourly services marked a significant improvement for passengers.
From Sunday 13 December 2009 further timetable improvements will provide an hourly clockface train timetable from all stations including Cromford and Whatstandwell, better connections at Derby including quicker journeys to London and an earlier arrival into Nottingham for commuters.
Here’s how Derwent Valley Line passengers will instantly benefit from the additional improvements starting on 13 December 2009:
Hourly trains serving Cromford and Whatstandwell
Following the success of the hourly train service serving most stations along the line, from 13 December trains every hour will also link Cromford and Whatstandwell with Derby, Matlock and Nottingham.
Travel time to London reduced by 30 minutes
Improved connections at Derby will provide an hourly train connection to London and reduce the journey time from local stations via Derby by 30 minutes. In both directions, every hour until 1900, journey time between Belper and London will now be two and a quarter hours and between Matlock and London will be two and a half hours. Some later evening trains will take up to 30 minutes longer.
Commuters into Nottingham will benefit with an earlier arrival time
The increasing number of commuters from the Derwent Valley into Nottingham will benefit from the arrival of their train nine minutes earlier into Nottingham at 0850.
These latest improvements follow the great success of the hourly service along the line to Derby and Nottingham. Between April and October this year, passengers on the Derwent Valley Line have shown their support for the service by generating a 54% increase in passengers using Derwent Valley Line stations compared to the same time last year.
Councillor Garry Purdy, Chair of the Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership said: “The train service has been a great success and the Partnership is really pleased to see even more improvements being implemented. This is great news for local residents in Cromford and Whatstandwell and for encouraging even more visitors to use the train to access the scenic Derwent Valley, go walking on the Cromford Canal or visit the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.”
Emma Knight from East Midlands Trains said “We’re delighted with the success of the hourly services on the Derwent Valley Line, and are looking forward to bringing even more benefits to passengers travelling on this line from 13 December.
“We know that our passengers have been extremely pleased with the introduction of the hourly services, but wanted further improvements such as better connections to London, and we are pleased to now be delivering improvements that our passengers have asked for and will make a real difference.”
Full details of the new improved train timetable are contained in Your Guide to the Derwent Valley Line which is available from staffed stations and many other local outlets or from Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058.
Editors Information
The Derwent Valley Line train service between Matlock and Derby provides a fast means of travel, with a journey time of just 34 minutes from Matlock and 12 minutes from Belper to Derby.
The Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership works with East Midlands Trains and other stakeholders to develop and promote the Derwent Valley Line between Matlock and Derby. The Partnership includes Local Authorities, Parish and Town Councils, East Midlands Trains and other organisations, whose aims are to promote and develop the Derwent Valley Line for residents and visitors. The Partnership is managed by Derbyshire County Council.
For further information contact the Project Officer, Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership Derbyshire County Council, Environmental Services, County Hall Matlock DE4 3AG. 01629 538681 Mobile: 07887 832128
e-mail: alastair.morley@derbyshire.gov.uk