Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds are being urged to plan ahead as a significant new phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) gets underway, with major engineering activity set to impact services throughout May and June.
From Saturday 2 May to Monday 25 May, intensive improvement work will take place along the Huddersfield–Leeds corridor. During this period, 56 engineering trains will be deployed as teams renew 6.2km of track and install more than 21,000 tonnes of ballast.
In parallel, 51 new foundation bases will be installed to support future overhead line equipment (OLE), a key step towards electrification and more reliable, smoother journeys across the 70‑mile Transpennine route.
Keeping passengers moving during disruption
To maintain connectivity, Brighouse station will operate as a key rail‑bus interchange, while diversionary routes — backed by £100 million of prior investment — will be used to keep services running. Trains will operate as close as possible to the work sites, with rail replacement buses introduced where necessary.
A second phase of upgrades will follow from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 27 June, focusing on Batley and Dewsbury. Once complete, Batley station will reopen following the commissioning of new lifts, delivering step‑free access for the first time, alongside upgraded facilities and extended 150‑metre platforms.
At Dewsbury, platforms will be extended to 200 metres, enabling longer trains with increased capacity to serve the station in the future.
This phase will see 66 engineering trains in operation, delivering more than 5km of track renewals, installing 27,000 tonnes of ballast and 67 OLE masts, alongside 800 metres of new drainage.
Huddersfield station transformation continues
Work at Huddersfield station will continue across weekends throughout this period, including platform remodelling, subway excavations and construction of a new staircase and footbridge. Restoration of the station’s historic ‘Euston‑style’ roof also remains ongoing as part of a wider transformation due for completion in early 2027.
During weekdays, passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds will be diverted via Wakefield. At weekends, trains will run as close as possible to the stations, supported by rail replacement buses between Huddersfield and Leeds.
Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator, as amended timetables will be in operation.
What the programme team says
Sophie Leishman, TRU sponsor, said:
“Over recent months we’ve made strong progress between Huddersfield and Leeds, and with this next phase about to begin, we’re preparing to take another major step forward on a key section of the route.
“Our teams will be working day and night over the coming weeks, and I’d like to thank both customers and the local community for their continued support as we deliver these transformative improvements to the railway.”
Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said:
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade continues to make lots of progress between Huddersfield and Leeds, delivering a once in a generation upgrade for our customers. We've already seen key milestones delivered such as a brand‑new station at Morley and a remodelled, fully accessible, station at Mirfield".
“Throughout May and June, more work will take place between Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Leeds, which will mean changes to services. We’ve worked collaboratively with colleagues at TransPennine Express to plan for these works and limit disruption for customers. We advise everyone planning to travel in May and June to check beforehand at nationalrail.co.uk, as amended timetables will be in operation, including rail replacement buses for some routes.”
Image credit: Network Rail
