TRU Stakeholder Update - October 2025

Good afternoon,

Welcome to the October edition of our Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) monthly stakeholder update. Each month, we share key milestones, news and upcoming activity as we continue transforming the railway across the North of England.

As a multi-billion-pound programme, TRU is more than a railway upgrade - it's a catalyst for economic growth, regeneration and sustainable development. By improving connectivity between key towns and cities, the programme is unlocking new opportunities for communities and businesses across the region.

Through faster, more reliable and greener services for passengers and freight, TRU is helping drive the Northern economy forward – improving productivity, supporting jobs and skills, and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity.

October's key updates at a glance:

• 30-day blockade at Huddersfield successfully completed
• The TRU Community Fund opens to applications
• Ravensthorpe Station to close until summer 2028
• TRU winter works between Leeds, York and Selby

TRU FAST FACTS

• TRU is a multi-billion pound railway programme which aims to:
  • Provide 15% quicker journeys between York and Manchester, investing in electric trains and increasing reliability, halving delay times.
  • Boosting capacity by a third, offering up to six fast services every hour (from four per hour) between Leeds and Manchester.

• 25% of the route is already electrified, with electric trains now operating between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge, and between York and Church Fenton.

• We have created 5000 jobs on TRU to date, and 85% of our workforce com e from within 40 miles of the route. We will create over 8000 jobs during the duration of the programme.
• We are expanding freight provision – so shipping containers can travel from ports on the east and west of the country via rail, helping remove up to 1000 lorries a day from roads across the Pennines. 
• While working on a live railway, we are keeping customers on the move and updated through comprehensive customer handling plans.
• We have delivered three diversionary routes to allow more trains to run and help keep passengers and freight moving during periods of disruption on the main route while we deliver essential works.

TRU social value impact 

We believe sustainable development is the only way to keep us on track to a better future for rail in the North. Our commitment to people and place continues to deliver results. We are supporting Northern talent, boosting local economies, and creating a more sustainable future.

Curious about the impact in your area?
We would be happy to share the social value figures for your local community – from jobs and apprenticeships to local business spend and volunteering hours. Just get in touch, and we will bring the story closer to home.

30-Day blockade at Huddersfield successfully completed

Huddersfield Station reopened on Monday 29 September, marking the successful completion of Phase One of major upgrade works as part of TRU.

Significant progress has been achieved, including:

• Removal of beams on the Huddersfield Viaduct and John William Street Bridge
• Installation of an under-track crossing and completion of drainage works
• Strengthening and installation of southern and central bridge decks on John William Street Bridge
• Demolition of Platform 1 and canopies above Platform 3
• Construction of new Platforms 1 and 2
• Removal of the relay room within the station
• Completion of platform surfacing, coping stone fitting, and snagging works

Further improvements have been delivered along the route between Manchester and Huddersfield, including upgrades at Deighton Station and Hillhouse Sidings, as well as the removal of redundant signals and cabling to support the next stage of digital railway development.

Huddersfield Station now features three rebuilt and extended platforms, which will allow longer trains with more seats to serve the station over time, improving capacity and reliability for passengers.

To enable the next phase of work, direct services from Cottingley, Morley, Batley, Ravensthorpe, Brighouse, Halifax, Low Moor, and Bradford Interchange to Huddersfield will be suspended until January 2027. While this will temporarily affect some journeys across Yorkshire, these works are essential to deliver Phase Two of the Huddersfield Station upgrade and the wider TRU programme.

Passengers are encouraged to check before they travel at www.nationalrailenquiries.co.uk.

We would like to thank all passengers, local businesses, and the community, for their patience and support throughout this stage of the upgrade. Your continued cooperation is helping us deliver a better, more reliable railway for Huddersfield and the wider region.

Huddersfield Station before and after: New platforms and new roof following the Huddersfield station closure (left) and an artist’s impression of the facility following completion of Phase Two of the TRU works (right).

TRU Community Fund returns - £250,000 available

The TRU Community Fund is back for its second year, with £250,000 available to support local projects that create or improve community spaces along the route. Grants of £1,000, £5,000, £10,000, and £20,000 are on offer to help bring community ideas to life.

Applications are now open and will close on Monday October 27, 2025. Projects must be located within five-miles of the TRU route or within five miles of the Shipley Traincare Centre. Organisations can check their eligibility using this map. 

Applications will be managed via Neighbourly, a free platform for charities and community groups. Groups can register now at www.neighbourly.com/trucommunityfund

For questions, contact community@neighbourly.com or visit the Neighbourly help & support page.

Ravensthorpe Station to close for major upgrade

From Sunday 14 December 2025 until summer 2028, Ravensthorpe Station will be closed to enable construction of a brand new station, located 200m west of the current site.

To deliver this transformation,we will first build a new four-track railway through the existing station and new location. This sequencing means the new station cannot be built until the tracks and the new Baker viaduct are in place.

The new station will provide:

• Step-free access to the station
• Capacity for longer trains with more seats
• Expanded future rail options for operators
• A stronger gateway to support social and economic regeneration in the area

To keep passengers moving during construction, rail replacement buses will operate between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury, subject to ongoing demand.

Passengers should check their journeys before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk or on train operator websites, tpexpress.co.uk and northernrailway.co.uk.

We are making vital improvements throughout October and November. If you would like more information about the works, please contact us. 

Ravensthorpe to Leeds – midweek closure October 6 - 10

Track & drainage renewals, as well as Dewsbury Station remodelling including platform extensions and bridge reconstruction work.
Trains between Huddersfield and Leeds will be diverted or replaced by buses.

Neville Hill to Church Fenton – weekend closure October 11 - 12

Track renewals will be taking place between Leeds and Church Fenton.
Trains between Leeds and York will be diverted via Castleford to keep as many people on the move by train as possible. Local stations in between will be served by rail replacement buses.

Ravensthorpe to Leeds – midweek closure October 13 - 17

Track & drainage renewals, Dewsbury Station remodelling including platform extensions and bridge reconstruction work.
Trains between Huddersfield and Leeds will be diverted or replaced by buses.

Neville Hill to Church Fenton – weekend closure October 18 - 19

Track renewals will be taking place between Leeds and Church Fenton.
Trains between Leeds and York will be diverted via Castleford to keep as many people on the move by train as possible. Local stations in between will be served by rail replacement buses.

Ravensthorpe to Leeds – midweek closure October 20 - 24

Track & drainage renewals, Dewsbury station remodelling including platform extensions, bridge reconstruction work.
Trains between Huddersfield and Leeds will be diverted or replaced by buses.

Church Fenton to York - weekend closure October 25 - 26

Major improvement works will take place which will include track junction upgrades and signalling work.
Some services are being diverted to keep you on trains. Where this isn’t possible, rail replacement buses will be in place.

Church Fenton to York - weekend closure November 1 - 2

Major improvement works will take place which will include track junction upgrades and signalling work.
Some services are being diverted to keep you on trains. Where this isn’t possible, rail replacement buses will be in place.

Church Fenton to York - weekend closure November 8 - 9

Major improvement works will take place which will include track junction upgrades and signalling work.
Some services are being diverted to keep you on trains. Where this isn’t possible, rail replacement buses will be in place.

Road Closures