Transpennine Route Upgrade to launch Stalybridge to Diggle public consultation

TRU is proposing major upgrades across the section of the route between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth).
Date 16.09.24

The upgrades includes improved, more accessible stations at Mossley and Greenfield, full electrification of the line and various bridge works to allow the installation of overhead line equipment (OLE) to power faster, cleaner and more reliable trains.

The consultation on this area of TRU will close on 25 October 2024 and is a chance for the public to have their say. A virtual consultation room and feedback form opens on 16 September at Transpennine Route Upgrade Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth) Scheme Public Consultation.

There will also be three in-person drop-in events to view the plans and speak with TRU staff:

18 September 2024 3pm-8pm St Peters RC Church, 119 Brierley Street, Stalybridge SK15 2E

19 September 2024 3pm-8pm Saddleworth Rangers RLFC, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Greenfield OL3 7LD

20 September 2024 3pm-8pm Mossley Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Mossley OL5 0EX

Mark Ashton, Sponsor on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said:

“The TRU Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth) public consultation is the opportunity for the public to hear about our exciting plans for the area, which includes improved, more accessible stations at Mossley and Greenfield for the first time in the route’s history.”

“We want to bring the people of Stalybridge, Heyrod, Mossley, Greenfield, Uppermill and Diggle with us on this journey. I urge the local community and businesses to look at our plans through our virtual consultation room or at the in-person events and let us know their thoughts through our feedback form.”

Mossley station is set to be relocated 300 metres northeast of the current station, in the direction of Greenfield. This will allow space to provide a better travel experience through an improved, more accessible station which will include a new footbridge and lifts. As well as improved accessibility, both Mossley and Greenfield stations will see platform extensions, giving the space for longer services to use the station, which would allow more seats for customers.

The public consultation will also present further details on the installation of OLE on the iconic Uppermill Viaduct, also known as Saddleworth Viaduct.

TRU is a major, multi-billion-pound programme of improvements that will transform journeys across the North, better-connecting towns and cities through more frequent, faster, greener trains between Manchester, Leeds and York, running on a better, cleaner and more reliable railway.

Following the consultation process, TRU will consider all the feedback received from the local community and other stakeholders. A Transport and Works Act Order application will then be submitted to the Secretary of State in Summer 2025.

  • Greenfield Station - Aerial View
  • Mossley Cottages
  • Oldham Road Bridge
  • Roughtown Road

Notes to Editors

TRU will bring passengers:

  • More trains to choose from and more seats. Our improvements will enable more trains to run between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York with up to six fast services every hour between Leeds and Manchester and up to two stopping services for local connectivity.
  • Faster journeys so you can travel to your favourite towns and cities more quickly. Our fastest journey times are forecast to be 63-66 minutes between Manchester and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
  • More reliable journeys with trains that run on-time
  • Better stations across the Transpennine route, bringing passengers a better travel experience through improved, more accessible stations
  • Greener travel, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality. Our plans aim to save up to 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – supporting the government’s Net Zero objectives. We’re also developing a proposal to move more goods by rail (up to 15 more freight trains each day.)
  • Together, these freight trains are expected to remove over 1,000 lorries off the road each day
  • Most of the benefits of TRU will be realised by the early 2030s.

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