Transpennine Route Upgrade Reaches Another Milestone Following Month-Long Engineering Programme

A major programme of railway improvements across West Yorkshire has been completed after four weeks of intensive engineering work, marking another significant step forward in the transformation of the Transpennine rail corridor.

The latest phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which ran between 30 May and 27 June, focused on the section between Morley and Dewsbury, with teams delivering a series of infrastructure and station improvements designed to support a faster, greener and more reliable railway across the North.

The works formed part of the wider multi-billion-pound programme to electrify and modernise one of the UK's busiest rail routes, with engineers carrying out track renewals, station enhancements, bridge reconstruction and preparations for future overhead electrification.

Among the key achievements were the renewal of more than 5km of railway track, installation of over 800 metres of new drainage, construction of 66 overhead line equipment (OLE) masts and 43 foundations, alongside substantial progress at both Batley and Dewsbury stations.

Passengers will ultimately benefit from longer platforms capable of accommodating larger trains, improved accessibility and upgraded customer facilities as the stations near completion.

Jonathan Hepton, Project Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, praised the collaborative effort that enabled the programme to be delivered on schedule.

"We're delighted to have completed this latest series of work safely and on time, thanks to the hard work of our teams and the support of our customers and our communities. TRU has made great strides in delivering a more reliable, electrified railway across the Pennines so far this year, with significant station upgrades delivered, too.

"By the end of summer, we look forward to unveiling a transformed Batley station with a brand-new footbridge, lifts and platforms, which will greatly improve step-free access around the station. At Dewsbury, we will be introducing better waiting facilities and extended platforms.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to our teams who worked around the clock and throughout the recent very hot weather."

As work between Morley and Dewsbury concludes, attention is now turning to the next phase of the programme centred on Huddersfield station, where a series of weekend possessions throughout July and early August will pave the way for a further 16-day engineering blockade in September.

The upcoming programme will see contractors continue the extensive redevelopment of Huddersfield station, including installing sections of the new station roof, completing platform extensions, commissioning new passenger lifts and extending both the footbridge and existing subway.

Despite the scale of the works, operators say services will continue to run during the week, with weekend passengers being supported by diversionary rail services and replacement buses.

Northern's TRU Programme Delivery Lead, Liam O'Shaughnessy, said the latest phase demonstrated the long-term benefits being delivered through close collaboration across the rail industry.

"Over the last month, the Transpennine Route Upgrade has made great progress made in delivering upgrades between Huddersfield and Leeds. The investment in both the infrastructure and improving customer facilities, including at Batley station where improvements will continue this year, will benefit our customers and communities for years to come.

"Working together with partners across the rail industry, we have been able to keep people moving as these works have progressed and we would like to thank everyone for their patience while these works have taken place."

The Transpennine Route Upgrade remains one of the UK's largest rail enhancement programmes, with investment continuing across multiple sections of the route to increase capacity, improve reliability and introduce cleaner electric services connecting communities across Northern England.