This mammoth scheme will see twice as many tracks installed, major renovations at Huddersfield, Deighton, Mirfield and Ravensthorpe stations, and the track layout reimagined.
As well as supporting rapid economic growth in the North of England, these major improvements will ultimately deliver more frequent, faster trains along a cleaner, greener, more reliable railway between York, Leeds and Manchester.
The Transport and Works Act Order – required for any project that involves building new sections of railway outside of the existing boundaries – was given the green light by the Secretary of State for Transport on Monday 27 June 2022, six months earlier than planned, kickstarting progress on the ambitious plans and designs. It was one of the biggest applications ever made by Network Rail.
The approval was granted following three years of planning and public consultation, considering the views of residents, rail users and other stakeholders. A public inquiry was held in November and December 2021.
Our programme of major improvements includes doubling the number of tracks from two to four, upgrading stations at Huddersfield, Deighton, Mirfield and providing a new station at Ravensthorpe. Separating sections of the track from each other with a bridge (fly-over) at Ravensthorpe and electrifying the railway from Huddersfield to Ravensthorpe – and right through to Leeds
With 85% of respondents who fed back through our first round of consultation supporting the scheme, we understand how important it is to passengers and the community that we deliver the benefits of the upgrade.
On 31 March 2021, Network Rail submitted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Secretary of State for Transport for the Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) scheme. On the same date, Network Rail made an application to Kirklees Council for listed building consents under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conversation Areas) Act 1990 in connection with the proposed works.
On 6 July 2021, in accordance with Rule 7(1) of the Transport and Works Inquiries Procedure Rules 2004, Network Rail submitted the Statement of Case for the Network Rail (Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) Improvements) Order.
The public inquiry for the Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) Transport and Works Act Order took place in the final few months of 2021.
The Transport and Works Act order was approved by the Secretary of State for Transport on Monday 27 June 2022.
To view the TWAO application, the Listed Building Consent Applications and all the plans and documents submitted with them please refer to our application documents.
