The granting of the Network Rail (Leeds to Micklefield Enhancements) Order gives us the powers to replace five level crossings with safer alternatives; raise, reconstruct or remove a number of bridges to enable electrification; and install some small-scale infrastructure. It also allows us to set up a number of temporary work compounds to help us carry out these essential improvements.
Our proposed scheme has a number of crucial benefits:
Supporting economic growth
With more trains and faster journeys, our proposals will better connect the cities across the North. This will support economic growth in the North and deliver real benefits for passengers, communities and freight services along this vital rail artery.
Improved safety
We are responsible for maintaining the railway network, and this includes making it as safe as possible for passengers and the public. Level crossings can pose a serious risk to users and by increasing the line speed and frequency of trains this risk is likely to increase, so we want to create a safer way for people to cross to reduce the risk of any accidents.
Greener travel
We are electrifying the whole route to enable quieter, greener trains to run, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality for the communities along our route.
Below is a summary of each element of the proposed works included in our Transport and Works Act Order. For more information, you can find copies of the documents submitted as part of the Order below.
To enable faster, more frequent trains to run, we will need to reconstruct the railway viaduct at Kirkgate in Leeds City Centre.
Land directly adjacent to the bridge at Kirkgate has been identified as a suitable site for use as a temporary work compound and construction land while this work takes place in the future.
While the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade project will be making changes to this bridge, only the construction compound and land formed part of the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).
To enable upgrades to the line, we need to install some small scale electrification and signalling infrastructure alongside the railway at Penny Pocket Park in Leeds City Centre.
Land alongside the line between Kirkgate Viaduct and Marsh Lane Viaduct, adjacent to Penny Pocket Park, has been identified as a suitable site for installation of this infrastructure.
The new infrastructure will be located next to, or nearby, the railway boundary on both sides of the line.
To enable faster, more frequent trains to run, we will need to reconstruct the railway viaduct at Marsh Lane in Leeds.
Land directly adjacent to the bridge at Marsh Lane has been identified as a suitable site for use as a temporary work compound and construction land while this work takes place in the future.
While the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade project will be making changes to this bridge, only the construction compound and land formed part of the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).
We applied to permanently use land off Newmarket Approach to provide access to the Neville Hill railway sidings.
We need the temporary use of land at Osmondthorpe for use as a construction compound in connection with the construction of a replacement bridge at Osmondthorpe Lane.
While the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade project will be making changes to this bridge, only the land formed part of the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).
To enable us to upgrade the tracks and electrify the line east of Leeds, we need temporary use of land for a compound off Wykebeck Avenue.
This compound will enable us to carry out track renewal and overhead line clearance works.
To allow us to install overhead wires, we need to reconstruct the road bridge at Austhorpe Lane and divert a high pressure gas main.
We are proposing to demolish the existing bridges (road, footbridge and gas main pipe bridge) and install a new combined road and footbridge in the location of the existing road bridge. The gas main will be diverted under the railway line via a bored tunnel.
To enable us to upgrade the tracks east of Leeds, we need to set up a temporary construction compound in Manston.
Land adjacent to the line at Manston Lane has been identified as a suitable site for this. This site will be used to facilitate the renewal of the track, store materials and provide welfare facilities for our teams.
To allow us to install overhead wires, we are proposing to rebuild Crawshaw Woods Bridge to enable electrification of the railway below.
Crawshaw Woods Bridge is a Grade II listed structure with private vehicular rights and a Public Right of Way running over it. Our proposals will be mindful of the bridge’s listed status.
We are applying to close Barrowby Lane and Barrowby Foot Level Crossings and divert pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders across the railway via a new ramped bridleway bridge close to the location of the existing Barrowby Lane Level Crossing.
Garforth Moor Level Crossing is currently closed on safety grounds so is not presently accessible for for public or vehicle use.
We applied to permanently stop up the Public Right of Way (Garforth 7) across the crossing, and extinguish rights at the level crossing.
The Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) does not cover all of the works associated with the closure of Garforth Moor and no physical works are required as part of the Order.
Network Rail submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council to formalise vehicle access from Barwick Road, via a farm track, to the allotments and provide a car park. This planning application and the associated works did not form part of the Order.
To allow us to install overhead wires, we are proposing to demolish this bridge.
To allow us to install overhead wires, we are proposing to reconstruct this bridge.
Ridge Road Bridge is a Grade II listed structure which carries the A656 public highway, as well as a footpath. There is also a high pressure gas main that runs via a pipe bridge next to the road bridge.
We are proposing to demolish and reconstruct the bridge. The gas main will be diverted via a micro-tunnel under the railway.
We are proposing to use land at Phoenix Avenue, Micklefield, as a temporary works compound to support a range of Transpennine Route Upgrade works.
The location of the compound has been chosen due to its proximity to an existing access point on land to the south of the railway.
It will be used to facilitate the Transpennine Route Upgrade track renewal programme and will include materials storage, parking and welfare facilities.
To enable the electrification of the railway line, we need to construct a Track Sectioning Cabin, or TSC. This will safely regulate the power supply to the overhead electric wires in the local area.
The Micklefield TSC will be located 50 metres to the west of the existing Peckfield Level Crossing.
We are proposing to close Peckfield Level Crossing and divert the Public Right of Way across the railway via one of two options.
One option would see a footpath provided on the north side of the railway, connecting the Railway Cottages to Great North Road.
The other option would see the creation of a bridleway on the north side of the railway, running through the southern end of the recreation ground.
Highroyds Wood Level Crossing is currently closed on safety grounds, so is not presently accessible for public use.
We applied to permanently close the level crossing and extinguish the Public Right of Way (Micklefield 7) across it. A diversionary route will be created to provide an alternative route under the railway.
The Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) does not cover all of the works associated with the closure of Highroyds Wood and no physical works are required as part of the Order. Closure of this level crossing as part of the Order is being pursued in parallel with an existing section 119A Highways Act 1980 application with Leeds City Council.
We carried out two public consultations to share the proposals with the local community and hear their feedback on our plans.
The first consultation took place between Monday 24 October and Friday 18 November 2022 and we used an online virtual consultation room and a series of face-to-face events to promote the Scheme proposals.
We also carried out a second public consultation between 13 March and 11 April 2023 on the additional proposals to permanently close Garforth Moor and Highroyds Woods Level Crossings. Both of these crossings have already been closed on safety grounds, but we applied to permanently remove them and divert or extinguish the Public Rights of Way across them.
Following this consultation process, we considered all the feedback received in order to develop detailed designs and apply for permission to build the Scheme, using the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).
On 17 July 2023, Network Rail submitted its Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Secretary of State for Transport for the Leeds to Micklefield scheme.
Following a Public Inquiry, the Order was granted on 1 October 2024.
The Leeds to Micklefield Order includes a range of powers including the acquisition of all necessary land and rights, the temporary use of land; the authorisation of works and deemed planning permission, the diversion or stopping up of public rights of way, environmental consents, closure of the level crossings and powers to alter public highways and to undertake street works.
Listed Building Consent applications were submitted to consent works to listed bridges. The applications did not form part of the Order but were submitted and determined concurrently.
To view the TWAO application and all the plans and documents submitted with them please refer to our application documents below.
View the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application
View the Listed Building Consents
If you have any questions or require more information about the Scheme, you can email us at TranspennineEngagement@networkrail.co.uk
You can also visit our contact us page or call our 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.
