Storm Goretti forces closure of Hope Valley route between Sheffield and Manchester

ast Midlands Railway has warned that no trains will run between Sheffield and Manchester from 6.00pm on Thursday 8 January until the start of services on Saturday 10 January. The suspension follows the full closure of the Hope Valley route because of severe weather linked to Storm Goretti.

Network Rail has shut the line after heavy snowfall was forecast during an Amber Weather Warning period. The conditions are expected to make operations unsafe, prompting the suspension of services throughout Friday 9 January as well.

Customers using other parts of the EMR network are being asked to check their journeys before travelling, with further disruption likely on Thursday evening and Friday morning as bad weather moves across the region. Updates are being published through online journey planners and EMR’s usual customer channels.

The final EMR service towards Manchester and Liverpool on Thursday will be the 09:52 departure from Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street, which leaves Sheffield at 13:43. The last train heading back towards Sheffield, Nottingham and Norwich will be the 15:51 service from Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich.

There will be no rail replacement buses between Sheffield and Manchester during the closure period due to the severe conditions. EMR tickets dated for Thursday 8 January or Friday 9 January can instead be used before 6.00pm on Thursday or on Saturday 10 January.

Until 6.00pm on Thursday 8 January, EMR tickets will also be accepted at no extra cost on TransPennine Express and Northern services between Sheffield and Manchester in both directions.

Image: East Midlands Railway