Show lessMajor Transpennine Upgrade Now Underway as Passengers Urged to Plan Ahead

Significant improvement work between Huddersfield and Leeds is now underway, with passengers being urged to check before travelling as disruption continues across the route.

Since Saturday 2 May, intensive engineering activity has been taking place as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), with teams working around the clock to deliver a major package of track and infrastructure improvements.

Across this phase, 56 engineering trains are being used to renew 6.2km of track and install more than 21,000 tonnes of ballast. In addition, 51 new foundation bases are being put in place to support future overhead line equipment (OLE), paving the way for electrification and more reliable journeys across the 70-mile route.

To help keep passengers moving, Brighouse station is operating as a key rail and bus interchange, while diversionary routes—supported by £100m of prior investment—are also in use. Trains are running as close as possible to work sites, with replacement bus services filling the gaps where required.

Further disruption is expected as the next phase approaches, beginning Saturday 30 May through to 27 June, when work will shift focus to Batley and Dewsbury.

This stage will involve 66 engineering trains delivering more than 5km of track renewals, alongside the installation of over 27,000 tonnes of ballast and 67 OLE masts. Around 800 metres of drainage improvements will also be completed.

Once finished, Batley station will reopen with step-free access for the first time, new lifts, upgraded facilities and extended 150-metre platforms. Dewsbury station will also benefit from platform extensions to 200 metres, allowing longer trains with increased capacity to serve the station.

Meanwhile, weekend work continues at Huddersfield station, including platform remodelling, subway excavations, and construction of a new staircase and footbridge. Restoration of the station’s historic ‘Euston-style’ roof is also ongoing, as part of a wider transformation scheduled for completion in early 2027.

During weekdays, services between Huddersfield and Leeds are being diverted via Wakefield. At weekends, trains are operating as close as possible to stations, supported by replacement buses.

Passengers are advised to check their journeys in advance via National Rail or their train operator, as amended timetables and replacement services remain in place.

Sophie Leishman, TRU sponsor, said the programme is entering a critical phase, with teams working continuously to deliver long-term improvements.

“Our teams are working day and night to deliver this next stage of upgrades on a key section of the route. We’d like to thank customers and the local community for their continued patience as we carry out this transformative work,” she said.

Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, added that while disruption is unavoidable, extensive planning has gone into minimising its impact.

“We’re continuing to make strong progress on what is a once-in-a-generation upgrade. We’ve worked closely with operators to keep services running wherever possible, but we strongly encourage customers to plan ahead and check before travelling,” he said.