The line was purchased from British Rail by Derbyshire County Council in 1973 and the station buildings at Hayfield were demolished in 1975. The Sett Valley Trail was opened in 1979.[2]
The path today
An information centre, picnic area, car park and toilets have now been built on the former Hayfield station site.[3] The Pennine Bridleway[4] and Peak District Boundary Walk[5] follow the section of the trail between Hayfield and Birch Vale.