Plans in place for Stalybridge weekend rail upgrade closures

As part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, more than 125 railway engineers are set to work around the clock as they replace 1.2km of rail track at Stalybridge, which will bring smoother, more reliable journeys.

This essential upgrade is a stepping stone towards the future introduction of cleaner, quieter, electric trains between Manchester and Stalybridge and onward to Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Passengers can keep their plans on track while the work takes place over the first two weekends in September (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11) as most rail services will be diverted between Manchester and Leeds via the recently upgraded Calder Valley Route, and replacement buses will be provided for shorter journeys between Manchester and Huddersfield and stations in between.

Trains will run to alternative timetables, so please check before you travel at National Rail Enquiries and leave extra time. We also advise passengers to check with their train operator for the latest updates.

Hannah Lomas, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said:

“The track works at Stalybridge are essential to ensure a future of more reliable journeys through this area. It is a key steppingstone to realise the ambitious plans for fully electrified rail travel between Manchester and York as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

“Passengers will be able to keep moving through the use of a variety of alternate rail and bus services and I recommend that anyone travelling through Stalybridge over these two weekends checks which options are best for them.”

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said:

“As work continues on the Transpennine Route Upgrade between Stalybridge and Huddersfield this weekend (03, 04 September) and the following weekend (10, 11 September), there will be a number of service alterations for TransPennine Express services.

“Customers are advised to allow for additional time to travel and to check carefully for the latest travel advice before they travel on our website here; updates will also be available on our social media channels. In addition, extra support will be available for passengers from Customer Delivery Managers who will be on hand to assist customers with their journeys.”

Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern, said:

“We’re really grateful for everybody’s patience whilst these transformational works are taking place. Once this work is complete, our customers can look forward to greener, quieter and more reliable journeys on electric trains running between Manchester and Stalybridge in the coming years.”

On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September, train services will be affected as follows:

Services between Liverpool and Newcastle

• These journeys will be diverted between Manchester and Leeds via the Calder Valley route and will not call at Huddersfield.
• An extra stop will be made at Brighouse.

Services between Manchester Airport and Redcar Central

• These journeys will start/finish at Manchester Victoria and will not call at Manchester Airport, Gatley, Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Oxford Road.
• These journeys will be diverted between Manchester and Leeds via the Calder Valley route and will not call at Huddersfield.

• An hourly rail replacement bus service will run between Manchester Airport and Huddersfield, calling at Stockport.
• A non-stop rail replacement shuttle bus service will run between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield.
• The frequent Free Bus 2 service runs between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.

Local services between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield

• These journeys will not run.
• A rail replacement bus service will run between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield, calling at Stalybridge, Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden and Slaithwaite Stations.
• A shuttle bus will run between Manchester Piccadilly and Stalybridge.
• A shuttle bus will also run between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge, calling at Ashton-under-Lyne.

Services between Manchester Piccadilly and Hull

• On Saturdays 3 & 10 September, these journeys will only run between Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull. They will not call at Manchester Piccadilly or Stalybridge.
• On Sundays 4 & 11 September, most journeys will only run between Leeds and Hull.
• A rail replacement bus service will run between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield, calling at Stalybridge, Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden and Slaithwaite Stations.
• A shuttle bus will run between Manchester Piccadilly and Stalybridge.
• A shuttle bus will also run between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge, calling at Ashton-under-Lyne.

Local services between Huddersfield and Leeds

These journeys will run, calling at Deighton, Mirfield, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, Batley, Morley and Cottingley; however, please check before you travel at National Rail Enquiries.