Hope Valley Railway Users’ Group is working to increase the frequency and quality of rail services in the Hope Valley for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. We currently have around one hundred members, most of whom are regular users of the Hope Valley line.
Surveys carried out by HVRUG clearly show that the railway is highly valued by residents and tourists alike, and that passenger numbers have been increasing despite the limited service. Data from the Office of the Rail Regulator also shows an increase in passenger numbers in the last ten years.
In 2012 HVRUG’s survey of Hope Valley residents found 60% of respondents would use the rail service more for both commuting and leisure, if there was a better timetable. HVRUG believes that this line has untapped potential to attract significantly more visitors to the Peak District, boosting the local economy whilst helping reduce the level of road traffic and parking problems.
So we welcome Network Rail’s Hope Valley Railway Upgrade which, once complete, will enable faster and more reliable passenger journeys between Manchester and Sheffield and should improve reliability of local services. We also welcome the proposal in Northern’s draft December 2022 timetable to provide an hourly service to all stations in the Hope Valley every day. This more frequent service should attract more users to the line to the benefit of all users.
HVRUG is keen to see further improvements on the line. We want to see improvements to the service, including working ticket machines on all stations, a better system for the collection of fares and better management of car parking.