Thousands of tonnes of ballast, kilometres of new track and extensive station upgrades will be delivered as part of the next phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), with major engineering works planned between Huddersfield and Leeds throughout May and June.
The programme marks another significant step in modernising the 70-mile route, supporting faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys across the North.
Intensive programme of works
From Saturday 2 May to Monday 25 May, engineers will carry out major track renewals, deploying 56 engineering trains to deliver 6.2km of new track and lay more than 21,000 tonnes of ballast.
In parallel, 51 foundation bases will be installed to support future overhead line equipment, enabling electrification of the route.
A second phase will follow from 30 May to 27 June, focusing on works at Batley and Dewsbury. This will involve a further 66 engineering trains, more than 5km of track renewals, the installation of 27,000 tonnes of ballast, around 800 metres of drainage, and 67 overhead line masts.
Station upgrades and accessibility improvements
As part of the works, both Batley and Dewsbury stations will undergo significant upgrades.
Batley station will reopen with step-free access for the first time, alongside improved facilities and extended platforms of 150 metres.
Dewsbury station will also see platforms extended to 200 metres, allowing longer, higher-capacity trains to serve the route in future.
At Huddersfield, weekend works will include platform remodelling, subway excavations, a new staircase and footbridge, as well as further extension of the station’s historic canopy. The full station transformation is expected to complete in early 2027.
Keeping passengers moving
During the works, services will be diverted where possible, with Brighouse acting as a key interchange hub. Replacement buses will operate in affected areas, while weekday services between Huddersfield and Leeds will be maintained via the Wakefield diversionary route.
Passengers are being advised to check journeys in advance and allow extra time for travel.
Sophie Leishman, TRU sponsor, said:
“Significant progress has been made between Huddersfield and Leeds in recent months, and this next series of upgrades will allow us to take another step forward in what is a key stretch of the route and an important enabler for wider TRU plans across the North.
“Our teams will be working around the clock during these two months. I’d like to thank them as well our local communities as we deliver these huge improvements to the railway.”
Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, added:
“We know there is no ideal time to close parts of the railway, and the team is grateful to customers for their patience whilst we complete the next phase of upgrades. These are significant pieces of work which will support wider improvements – customers can look forward to smoother and more reliable journeys, longer platforms and step-free access for the first time at Batley.”
Joe Munro, TRU Joint-Lead for Customer Delivery for Northern, said:
“Customers should check their journey before they travel and allow extra time for their journey. Our plans have been designed to keep customers on trains wherever possible, and teams will be on hand to support customers during this time.”
Driving long-term improvements
The works form part of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade, a multi-billion-pound programme to improve connectivity across the North, including electrification, increased capacity and enhanced station infrastructure.
Once complete, the upgrades will support more reliable services, increased capacity and a more accessible railway for passengers travelling between key northern cities.
