Between 26 May and 3 June 2024, the Transpennine Route Upgrade replaced the railway bridge deck over the A162 London Road at Barkston Ash.
The bridge, which was opened in 1869 by the North Eastern Railway, was approaching life expiry. Replacing it with a stronger bridge deck ahead of the line’s electrification will enable more frequent, faster, heavier passenger and freight trains to run.
This is a key part of delivering the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s aims to transform journeys across the North – better connecting towns and cities between York, Leeds and Manchester on a high-performing, greener and more reliable railway.
Following months of careful planning and preparation, our TRU East Alliance completed the impressive renewal of the bridge over an intensive eight days of work.
Take a look as the team remove the old bridge, replace the deck with a stronger metal structure using a 700-tonne crane, then renew the railway tracks above.
The line was closed for just four days, during which time trains between the key cities of Leeds and York were kept moving via our Castleford diversionary route.
We’d like to thank rail passengers, local residents and businesses for their patience while we carried out this essential work.
