Major improvement Transpennine Route Upgrade work has started  to transform journeys between Huddersfield and Leeds.

Until Monday 25 May, 56 engineering trains will be deployed along this stretch of railway TRU renews 6.2km of track and lays more than 21,000 tonnes of ballast. Work will also see 51 new foundation bases installed to support overhead line equipment (OLE) in the future, helping pave the way for electrified services and delivering smoother, more reliable journeys across the 70-mile Transpennine route.

To keep customers moving, Brighouse station will act as a key rail and bus interchange. Diversionary routes, which TRU has invested £100m in, will also be utilised. Rail services will run as close as possible to the work areas, with replacement buses operating where required.

A further phase of upgrades will take place from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 27 June, focusing on Batley and Dewsbury.

Once complete, and following the commissioning of new lifts, Batley station will reopen with step-free access for the first time, alongside improved facilities and extended 150-metre platforms. Dewsbury station will also be upgraded with platforms extended to 200 metres, enabling longer trains with more seats to serve the station in the future.

Work will continue at Huddersfield station on weekends throughout this period, including platform remodelling, subway excavations, and the construction of a new staircase and footbridge. The refurbishment of the station’s historic ‘Euston style’ roof will also continue as part of its wider transformation, which is due for completion in early 2027.

Sophie Leishman, TRU sponsor, said: “Over recent months we’ve made strong progress between Huddersfield and Leeds, and with this next phase about to begin, we’re preparing to take another major step forward on a key section of the route.

“Our teams will be working day and night over the coming weeks, and I’d like to thank both customers and the local community for their continued support as we deliver these transformative improvements to the railway.”

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