The single-line branch was authorised on 1 March 1899 by the Leek, Caldon Low, and Hartington Light Railways Order, 1898,[4][5] and construction took several years.

The station at Bradnop was built in a cutting on the long gradient from Leek Brook to Ipstones.

[7] Although the station buildings and passenger platform were in a cutting, the small goods yard was constructed at the top of the bank and this necessitated quite a steep gradient in the track leading from the branch line to the goods yard.

[14] In 2014 this plan was placed on hold as the Competition Commission ruled that Lafarge Tarmac must sell one of its sites, possibly Caldon Low, so the heritage railway, the Churnet Valley Railway, are seeking to purchase the line themselves.

[15] By October 2020 CVR had purchased the line from MCR and most trains now currently terminate at Ipstones.