Work is powering ahead on the Transpennine Route Upgrade between Leeds and York, with significant improvements scheduled throughout the festive season and into the new year. These upgrades aim to deliver a faster, greener, and more dependable railway for passengers.
Over a 32-day period, engineers will replace the signalling and telecommunications systems along the route. This includes the installation of 54 brand-new signals, supporting infrastructure, and a modern power supply—bringing a more reliable and efficient railway into operation.
In Church Fenton, the track layout is being transformed. Platforms 3 and 4 will be re-aligned, and a new passing loop will be added to allow faster trains to overtake slower ones. These changes pave the way for increased line speeds and more frequent services in the future.
Across the wider route, 3km of track will be renewed, and eight new switches and crossings will be installed to enable smoother transitions between lines. Work will also continue on overhead electric line equipment, preparing the network for quieter, cleaner electric trains.
To make all this happen, the project will deploy 45 engineering trains, 879 rail wagons, three large cranes, and three tamping trains—highlighting the scale and ambition of this transformative upgrade.
Lucy Grogan, TRU sponsor, said:
“While there is never an ideal time to carry out essential improvement works such as these, and we appreciate that many people will be using the rail network to visit family and friends over the Christmas and New Year holiday, the time of year was specifically chosen as it is traditionally the quietest time of year for rail passengers.
“These upgrades form a vital part of our wider programme of work and will take us a step closer to improved rail travel across the North.”
Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said:
“The work taking place over the Christmas period into January in the Church Fenton area is vital to delivering the benefits of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. Customers who travel from Church Fenton will see some changes to their station and platforms in the new year, while Network Rail will also be delivering signalling upgrades on the route into Leeds, which will bring our customers a faster and more reliable railway for years to come.
Image credit: Network Rail
