The Steeple Grange Light Railway Company is proposing to construct and operate a narrow gauge tramway (450mm gauge) alongside the High Peak Trail between the Black Rocks visitor centre and the current terminus of the railway at Steeplehouse.
The proposed tramway would occupy a width of 2 metres from the parapet/boundary wall on the north side of the Trail, giving a minimum overall Trail width of 4 metres which would be available for all users. The rails would be flush with the rest of the Trail surface. The existing hedge on the south side of the Trail would remain.
The tramway would operate mainly at weekends and Bank Holidays, with occasional mid-week services. The likely intensity of service is a train every 20-30 minutes between the hours of 12pm and 5pm. The maximum speed of trains would be 5mph. It is proposed that the trains will be the same as those currently operating on the SGLR, ie a battery electric locomotive, plus a 16 seat man-riding car.
In order for the project to proceed, the company has to obtain planning consent, scheduled monument consent, approval from the County Council (as landowner), and a Transport and Works Act Order from the Secretary of State for Transport. Apart from obtaining the consent from the County Council to install a trial length of line near Black Rocks, none of these permissions has yet been sought.
The consultation period to sound out Trail users and other interested parties on the principle of the project has now finished. News of the project will be posted on this page when it becomes available.
Click here to read the Risk Assessment for the Black Rocks Tramway project.