The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has published its 2025 Sustainable Development Report, outlining a year of tangible progress in delivering a faster, greener and more reliable railway across the North, while creating lasting social, economic and environmental value for the communities it serves.
Covering the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the report shows how sustainability is being embedded across the programme through TRU’s strategy, Our Guiding Compass. This approach places long-term outcomes at the heart of delivery, spanning carbon reduction, biodiversity, workforce development, customer experience and community engagement.
Alex Peters, acting head of sustainability for TRU, said the past year marked a step change in how the programme is delivering impact alongside infrastructure:
“I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made in our sustainable development this year. This report demonstrates that TRU is doing far more than improving railway infrastructure – it’s making a real, positive difference in communities along our route and leaving a sustainable legacy.
“We’ve electrified lines, launched the TRU Community Fund, introduced our first sustainable composite sleepers and identified Biodiversity Net Gain on the ground. These are just a few milestones from across the programme and I’m excited by what’s to come and the impact we will continue to make.”
Progress is reported across all four pillars of TRU’s sustainability framework: Northern Jobs, Enhanced Environment, Satisfied Customers and Working with Communities.
Electrification was completed between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge, and between York and Church Fenton, meaning a quarter of the overall route is now fully electrified. This marks a major milestone in reducing carbon emissions while improving performance and reliability for passengers.
Investment in skills and employment continues to gather pace. During the year, TRU delivered 3,917 work experience days, recruited 99 apprentices and 39 graduates, and played a leading role in launching PlanBEE Rail – the UK’s first shared higher apprenticeship for the rail sector. The innovative model brings together Network Rail, Gateshead College, NSAR and 12 industry partners, with apprentices rotating through multiple employers while studying towards a Level 4 qualification.
Environmental performance also strengthened significantly. Nearly 99% of construction waste was diverted from landfill, while the programme introduced 155 sustainable composite sleepers at Osmondthorpe Lane, cutting carbon by 70% per sleeper and securing the ICE Smeaton Award. Eight biodiversity gain sites are now in development, with Fairfield station expected to host the programme’s first 30-year habitat management commitment.
Community investment reached new levels with the launch of the TRU Community Fund, which awarded more than £150,000 to 27 local groups during the year. A second funding round is already under way. Engagement with young people also expanded, with 14,550 students reached through 187 events including STEM workshops, careers sessions and inclusive initiatives such as Barnardo’s Young Carers programme. Public art projects at stations, including Routes to Roots at Ashton-under-Lyne and the Welbeck mural at Castleford, are helping create more welcoming, locally distinctive spaces.
TRU’s economic impact is being felt strongly through its supply chain. Almost 70% of non-core spend was directed to suppliers within 25 miles of the route, contributing to £706.5 million of local spending. SME investment totalled £323.4 million, with partnerships such as COWAP illustrating how the programme is supporting regional business growth.
Looking ahead, TRU is entering a critical phase. With major upgrades continuing along the 70-mile corridor, three more stations due for completion and biodiversity schemes moving into delivery on the ground, 2026 is set to be one of the programme’s most transformative years yet.
Together, the report positions TRU not just as a rail enhancement programme, but as a catalyst for sustainable growth, skills development and community benefit across the North.
