Transpennine Route Upgrade has hit another major milestone, as it is granted a Transport and Works Act Order by the Transport Secretary.
The Transport and Works Act Order will be used to ensure that the programme can deliver a number of significant upgrades to the railway between Leeds and Micklefield, with these including the replacement of five level crossings with safer alternatives. Alongside this, a number of bridges will be reconstructed or removed to allow for the electrification process.
An accessible bridleway footbridge will be put in to replace two level crossings near Garforth, allowing people and horses to cross the line. Further to this the Grade 2 listed Crawshaw Woods bridge – currently the earliest cast iron bridge that is still in place over an operational railway – will be raised to allow for the improved route.
Senior Sponsor on the Transpennine Route Upgrade Adam Sellers said:
“This is a huge success for TRU, bringing us a step closer to delivering faster, more frequent trains on a more reliable railway.
“The recent approval of this Transport and Works Act Order will enable us to complete major upgrades between Leeds and Micklefield, which will unlock a range of benefits for customers travelling across this stretch of railway and beyond.
“We would like to thank our rail industry partners for their support in getting this TWAO approval, and look forward to continuing to work with them on the next stages of work in this area.”
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is working to deliver much improved journeys between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, with this including more trains and faster journeys. Alongside this, electrification will support improved environmental outcomes such as reduced carbon footprint and improved air quality.
Alongside improved journeys and net zero progress, the TRU is expected to bring more jobs for local people, with 80% of the workforce being made of people from within a 40-mile radius of the route.
Image credit: Transpennine Route Upgrade
