Over these two months, engineers working on the multi-billion-pound project will excavate ballast (railway stone) to create new track beds, replace approximately 650 metres of railway tracks and install new drainage systems.
This essential work will enable trains to achieve higher speeds and enhance the overall reliability of services passing through the area in the future, as the number of railway tracks will increase from two to four.
While the railway line is temporarily closed to facilitate these upgrades, passengers will continue their journeys through a combination of diversionary routes and rail replacement buses.
Gareth Hope, Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade said
“Between September and October, engineers will be working each weekend to upgrade the railway tracks. This work is a crucial component of our broader upgrades, not only allowing for faster train travel but also improving service reliability in the future. We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition during the upgrades, with diversionary routes and rail replacement buses in place to keep customer moving.”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while the work takes place and remind customers to check www.nationalrailenquiries.co.uk or their respective train operators if traveling during this period.”
Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said:
“These improvement works are key to the overall modernisation of the railway that will be taking place as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will help deliver a faster and more sustainable service for our customers who travel between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
“We’d like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while this work take place. To keep customers on the move, there will be some changes to our services, including diversions on some routes and rail replacement buses on others, and we advise customers to check carefully before travelling. We’ll have extra staff on hand at stations to help customers who are travelling on days affected by this work.”
The track upgrades take us one step closer to our vision of creating a cleaner, greener, and more reliable railway system. This will bring improved connectivity and travel experiences to passengers traveling across the Pennines.
Notes to Editors
Over the multiple weekends, engineers will excavate ballast (railway stone) to create a new track bed formation, which will then allow the installation of new rail and sleepers. Additionally, a new track drainage system will be installed.
To facilitate the work, a road closure on Dark Lane will be in place on the dates listed below. This will result in Moorgate Halt level crossing being closed. Diversions and signage will be in place.
23:00 on Friday 22 September 2023 – 06:00 on Monday 25 September 2023
23:00 on Friday 29 September 2023 – 06:00 on Monday 2 October 2023
23:00 on Friday 13 October 2023 – 06:00 on Monday 16 October 2023
23:00 on Friday 20 October 2023 – 06:00 on Monday 23 October 2023
Over a number of weekends, diversionary routes and rail replacement buses will be used to keep passengers on the move. These are outlined below:
Saturday Rail Services:
Liverpool Lime Street – Newcastle: Services will divert on the Calder Valley route between Dewsbury and Manchester Victoria and will not call at Huddersfield. These services will call additionally at Brighouse for customers travelling to Huddersfield, as well as at Lea Green.
Manchester Airport – Saltburn: This service will only run between Manchester Victoria and Saltburn. Services will also divert on the Calder Valley route between Dewsbury and Manchester Victoria and will not call at Huddersfield. These services will call additionally at Brighouse for customers travelling to Huddersfield.
Manchester Piccadilly – York – Scarborough: A shuttle service will only run between York – Scarborough. Customers will need to change at York for onward connections.
Huddersfield – Manchester Piccadilly (local stopping service): This service will run as normal
Leeds – Huddersfield (local stopping service): This service will not run.
Saturday Rail replacement buses:
Huddersfield – Brighouse: Direct buses will operate between Huddersfield and Brighouse. Approximate journey time: 15 mins.
Customers travelling for all stations towards Leeds from Huddersfield should board rail replacement services to Brighouse and change for rail services there.
Huddersfield – Mirfield: An hourly bus will run between Huddersfield and Mirfield calling at all Deighton. Approx journey time: 20 mins.
Huddersfield – Manchester Airport: An hourly bus service will run between these two stations, calling at Stockport. Approx journey time: 80 mins.
Additional late evening bus services will run between Huddersfield and Leeds, calling at Deighton, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley, Morley and Cottingley.
Sunday Rail Services:
Liverpool – Manchester Victoria – York: An hourly service will run from Liverpool Lime Street to York. These services will be diverted between Manchester Victoria and Dewsbury and will not call at either Stalybridge or Huddersfield. An additional call will be made at Brighouse for customers travelling to/from Huddersfield.
Huddersfield – Manchester Piccadilly: An hourly service will run calling at Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield, Mossley and Stalybridge.
Sunday Rail replacement buses:
Huddersfield – Brighouse: Two direct bus services an hour will operate between Huddersfield and Brighouse. Approximate journey time: 15 mins.
Customers travelling towards Leeds from Huddersfield should board rail replacement services to Brighouse and change for rail services.
Huddersfield – Leeds (all stations): A bus will run every hour calling at Deighton, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley, Morley and Cottingley. Approximate journey time: 81 mins.
Huddersfield – Manchester Airport: A bus will run every hour calling at Stockport. Approximate journey time: 80 mins
