Passengers using Derby station will witness a transformation unfold over the next 18 months as Network Rail embarks on a major project to dismantle, then completely rebuild the platform canopies. The project will include new station lifts to improve accessibility for less mobile passengers.

Preliminary work will take place over the Christmas period and the work starts in earnest in February 2008 when the first phase of the project gets underway.

Network Rail Route Director Dyan Crowther said: “This major investment will transform Derby into a bright modern station fit for the city and the thousands of passengers who use it every day. This is a big job and to minimise disruption we will be completing the project in phases to keep the station open for passengers and train services throughout.”

Work to dismantle and rebuild the station will take place in 4 phases between February 2008 and June 2009. While the station will remain open, certain platforms will have to be closed at different points throughout the project and there will be some changes to timetabled train services, particularly at weekends.

Network Rail is working closely with East Midlands Trains to ensure passengers are kept informed of any changes to train services and station car parking arrangements.

East Midlands Trains Managing Director Tim Shoveller commented: “As the new train operator for the East Midlands, we’re delighted to be working with Network Rail on the improvements to Derby station. We’re proud to manage the station at Derby, a city with a great railway history, and we hope that this upgrade will provide a station fitting with this. We will work with Network Rail to ensure that disruption to our passengers is kept to a minimum throughout the work, and will ensure that updated information is available, both at the station and on our website, eastmidlandstrains.co.uk.”

The green temporary hoardings at Derby station were erected in 2005 as a precautionary measure after engineers discovered faults in the concrete which makes up the existing platform canopies. Structural assessments showed that the canopies, constructed in the 1950’s could not be repaired and that the only viable option was to demolish the canopies and replace them.

Closing a station of the importance of Derby was never an option so the project will take place in 4 phases over 18 months to enable the station to remain open throughout the project: Preliminary work starts at Christmas 2007 followed by four main phases:

• Phase 1 (February – May 2008): demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 1B, 2B & 3B
• Phase 2 (June – September 2008): demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 4B & 6B
• Phase 3 (September – December 2008): demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 4A, 5 & 6A
• Phase 4 (January – June 2009): demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 1A, 2A & 3A

In each phase, the existing platform canopies will be dismantled safely before the new canopies are constructed. New lifts will be constructed between the station footbridge and platforms 2, 3,4 & 6.

In the longer term, Network Rail is working with East Midlands Trains and our partners in Derby to look at improvements to the area around the station and improve public transport and pedestrian connections to the city.