Train services in the Chesterfield area are set to resume earlier than scheduled.

This is according to Network Rail, which has announced it intends to complete work on the line by this weekend (March 8th). Bosses claim work at the site has progressed quicker than anticipated, thanks largely to improved weather conditions.

Services in the area have been disrupted since February 18th, after heavy rain rendered the hillside above the railway unstable. Initial estimations suggested the work would take anything up to six weeks to be finished. 

Phil Verster, route managing director at Network Rail, commented: "The work completed so far has prioritised making the track safe so that trains can run, but work to fully stabilise the hillside will continue for several months yet."

He added although services would run a reduced speed, it was not anticipated this would have an adverse effect on journey times. Transport officials praised the efforts of the workforce in completing the project so early and thanked passengers for their patience while the repairs were being carried out.