TRU’s next series of major upgrades: 50,000 tonnes of ballast, 11.5km of track, 5,515 sleepers

Work to modernise the railway between Huddersfield and Leeds is set to intensify over May and June, as part of the wider TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme aimed at delivering faster, greener, and more reliable journeys across the North.

From Saturday 2 May to Monday 25 May, engineers will carry out a significant phase of work along this section of the line. A total of 56 engineering trains will be used to renew 6.2km of track and lay more than 21,000 tonnes of ballast, improving the quality and reliability of the route.

In addition, 51 foundation bases will be installed to support future overhead line equipment (OLE), a key step towards electrifying the railway.

During this period, Brighouse station will act as a key interchange for rail and replacement bus services. Investment in diversionary routes means more passengers will be able to remain on trains for part of their journeys, while buses will operate where necessary to maintain connections.

A second phase of works will run from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 27 June, focusing on upgrades in the Batley and Dewsbury areas.

This stage will involve 66 engineering trains and include over 5km of track renewals, the installation of more than 27,000 tonnes of ballast, approximately 800 metres of drainage, and 67 new OLE masts to support electrification.

As part of these improvements, Batley station will reopen with extended platforms and, for the first time, step-free access following the installation of new lifts. Platform lengths will increase to 150 metres. Dewsbury station will also see platforms extended to 200 metres, enabling longer trains with greater passenger capacity in the future.

Work will also continue at Huddersfield station during weekends across this period. Upgrades include platform remodelling, excavation of the subway, construction of a new staircase and footbridge, and extensions to the historic canopy roof. These changes form part of a wider transformation project scheduled for completion in early 2027.

To keep passengers moving, weekday services between Huddersfield and Leeds will be diverted via Wakefield. At weekends, trains will run as close as possible to the affected areas, with replacement bus services filling the gaps.

Passengers are being advised to plan ahead, as journey times may be longer and some trips will require bus connections.

Sophie Leishman, TRU Sponsor, said the work represents another major milestone in improving a critical section of the route and supporting wider upgrades across the North. She thanked both railway staff and local communities for their continued support.

Andrew Allwright, Northern’s TRU Programme Delivery Lead, acknowledged the disruption but emphasised the long-term benefits, including smoother journeys, longer platforms, and improved accessibility.

Joe Munro, Joint Lead for Customer Delivery at Northern, urged passengers to check travel plans in advance and allow extra time, adding that staff will be on hand to assist throughout the works.

The upgrades form part of a broader effort to modernise rail infrastructure across the Pennines, delivering improved capacity, reliability, and sustainability for passengers.