Major Transpennine Route Upgrade works underway between Huddersfield and Leeds
Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds are being urged to plan ahead as major railway improvement works get underway.
The latest phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade began this weekend and is due to continue until Monday 25 May, meaning changes to services and some disruption for customers over the next three weeks.
As part of the works, 56 engineering trains will be used along the route as teams renew 6.2 kilometres of track and lay more than 21,000 tonnes of ballast.
A total of 51 new foundation bases will also be installed to support overhead line equipment in the future, helping prepare the route for electrified services.
Rail bosses say the work will help deliver smoother and more reliable journeys across the 70-mile Transpennine route.
To help keep passengers moving, Brighouse station is being used as a key rail and bus interchange. Diversionary routes will also be in place, with rail services running as close as possible to the work areas and replacement buses operating where needed.
Customers are being advised to check before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator, as journey times may change and rail replacement buses could be needed for part or all of their journey.
Sophie Leishman, TRU sponsor, said: “Over recent months we’ve made strong progress between Huddersfield and Leeds, and with this next phase now underway, we’re taking another major step forward on a key section of the route.
“Our teams will be working day and night over the coming weeks, and I’d like to thank both customers and the local community for their continued support as we deliver these transformative improvements to the railway.”
A further phase of upgrades will take place from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 27 June, focusing on Batley and Dewsbury.
Once complete, and following the commissioning of new lifts, Batley station will reopen with step-free access for the first time, as well as improved facilities and extended 150-metre platforms.
Dewsbury station will also see upgrades, with platforms extended to 200 metres, allowing longer trains with more seats to serve the station in future.
That phase will involve 66 engineering trains, more than five kilometres of track renewals, over 27,000 tonnes of ballast, 67 overhead line masts and around 800 metres of drainage work.
Work will also continue at Huddersfield station on weekends, including platform remodelling, subway excavations and the construction of a new staircase and footbridge. The refurbishment of the station’s historic “Euston style” roof is also continuing, with the wider transformation due to be completed in early 2027.
Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said: “The Transpennine Route Upgrade continues to make lots of progress between Huddersfield and Leeds, delivering a once in a generation upgrade for our customers.
“Throughout May and June, more work will take place between Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Leeds, which will mean changes to services.
“We advise everyone planning to travel in May and June to check beforehand at nationalrail.co.uk, as amended timetables will be in operation, including rail replacement buses for some routes.”