The Transpennine Route Upgrade is celebrating its halfway mark at Stalybridge, bringing passengers a step closer to fully electrified trains.
Over the last two weeks, engineers have been working day and night in Stalybridge to deliver the biggest piece of work of the programme so far. This includes a full junction remodelling, allowing trains to move between different lines at higher speeds, as well as important signalling upgrades and works for future electrification.
The work is set to be completed by 6 April 2023, and will see over 2km of new track, 25 new signals, 54 new switches and crossing components, and overhead line equipment installed. This work will increase the reliability and speed of trains passing through the area.
The work forms part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, which is set to revolutionise rail travel in the North, better connecting towns and cities through more frequent, faster trains, running on a cleaner, greener and more reliable railway.
Having warned passengers in February that there would be disruption in March and April, Network Rail is urging passengers travelling across the Pennines to allow extra time and plan ahead using the National Rail Journey Planner or their train operator's website.
Detailed travel information
Rail replacement buses will keep passengers moving between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield, Manchester Airport and Huddersfield via Stockport, and Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge. Trains between Marsden and Leeds via Huddersfield will run as normal, calling at all intermediate stations.
Trains which run between Southport / Wigan North Western and Stalybridge will start / terminate at Manchester Victoria.
Rail replacement buses will run between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.
No trains will run via Stalybridge.
A limited service will run on alternative routes between:
- Liverpool Lime Street – Newcastle.
- Manchester Victoria and Saltburn.
- Marsden and Leeds (stopping service).
Replacement buses will run between:
- Huddersfield and Manchester Piccadilly (fast and stopping)
- Huddersfield and Manchester Airport via Stockport.
Hannah Lomas, Industry Programme Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “It's fantastic to see the amount of progress that has been made over the last two weeks at Stalybridge. This package of work is the largest to date on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, so it's a huge milestone for both the project and the programme as a whole.
“I'd like to take this opportunity to thank passengers for bearing with us while we complete these major upgrades. We do appreciate that there's no ideal time to close the railway, but we hope that our work so far highlights just a small part of the long-term benefits that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is set to bring to rail travel.
“Diversionary routes and rail replacement buses will continue to keep passengers moving until the line re-opens on 6 April 2023, so in the meantime I'd encourage people to check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries or their train operator.”
Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: “It's fantastic to see the work being carried out at Stalybridge as part of the TRU programme, bringing us one step closer to delivering a railway fit for the 21st Century.
“I want to thank our customers for their cooperation during the work so far and to continue to check the latest changes to our services before they travel on our website.”
So apparently the electrification is only going as far as Stalybridge just outside of Manchester.
Wrong, Andrew. This article is just about the Manchester to Stalybridge section of the Transpennine Upgrade. Electrification will stretch from Manchester Stations right through to York via Stalybridge, Huddersfield, Dewsbury, and Leeds. Linespeed enhancements, and a grade separation are also included in the upgrade package. The only disappointment is the lack of electrification from Micklefield Junction to Hull via Selby. But, if I am able to pull it off, this will be added when I publish my rail investment plan for Hull in conjuction with local politicians.