Network Rail has warned passengers of disruption to train services through the Huddersfield station area as it carries out engineering works from Friday 29 March to Sunday 7 April.
The upgrade work includes preparation to renew the roof canopy at Huddersfield station, which is one of the few remaining ‘Euston roof' examples still on the railway. The station, which opened in 1847, is a Grade I listed building, so Network Rail has to take care to preserve its heritage.
Workers will also continue dismantling the station's tearooms, in preparation for rebuilding them in a new location using the same materials when other work is finished.
Network Rail will also carry out remediation work on old mining works work in Ravensthorpe and Huddersfield, install a new bridge deck on Huddersfield viaduct (over the A641 Bradford Road) and renew track in the Deighton and Mirfield area.
Different dates, different disruption
Different changes will apply at different points during the ten days of upgrade work:
- Good Friday 29 and Saturday 30 March
- Easter Sunday 31 March
- Easter Monday 1 April
- Tuesday 2 April until Friday 5 April
- Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 April
Some services will be diverted between Manchester Victoria and Leeds, and some will be replaced by buses. On most days, there will be limited to no access to Huddersfield station, and buses will replace trains from the station.
Detailed timetable information for each of these dates are available here, and on train operators' websites.
Transpennine Route Upgrade
The work forms part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), in which billions of pounds are being spent in order to improve train services' frequency and reliability, and to make journeys less polluting and more environmentally-friendly between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
Improvements include electrifying lines and installing digital signalling, and benefits will include:
• more trains and more seats, with up to six fast services every hour between Leeds and Manchester and up to two stopping services
• faster journey times, including forecast fastest times of 63-66 minutes between Manchester and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds
• improved, more accessible stations
• reduced carbon footprint and better air quality
• freight trains replacing over 1,000 lorries each day
• jobs and apprenticeships for local people
• Improved natural environments near the railway.
Thanking passengers
“Our teams will be working around the clock to deliver this vital series of upgrades. The revamp of Huddersfield station and the rail works in the surrounding areas form a pivotal part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
“I'd like to thank customers for their continued support and remind everyone that services changes will be in place, so to please check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.”
Paul Sumner, Senior Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade
“These improvement works are key to the overall modernisation of the railway that will be taking place as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will help deliver a faster and more sustainable service for our customers who travel between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
“We'd like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while this work takes place. To keep customers on the move, there will be some changes to our services, including diversions on some routes and rail replacement buses on others, and we advise customers to check carefully before travelling. We'll have extra staff on hand at stations to help customers who are travelling on days affected by this work.”
Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express
