TRU Stakeholder Update - November 2025

Good afternoon,

Welcome to the November 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, we are helping to unlock new opportunities for communities and businesses across the region.

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

November's key updates at a glance:

• Record response to the TRU Community Fund
• Preparation for winter works between Leeds and York
• Upcoming work at Mirfield station
• Hillhouse Sidings opens in Huddersfield
• Lord Peter Hendy promotes TRU internationally
• Whitacre Street Bridge demolition in Deighton

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.

The TRU Community Fund receives an overwhelming response

Local stakeholders visited last year’s TRU Community Fund recipients - Support and Action for Women based in Oldham (left) and The Conservation Volunteers in York (right) to see the impact of their projects.

We are pleased with the strong response to this year's TRU Community Fund. Over 370 applications were submitted by community organisations along the 70-mile route, each seeking to create or improve local community spaces.

A particular thank you to Councillor Arooj Shah and Councillor Kate Ravilious, for joining us to celebrate the fund and see first-hand the difference it's already making in Oldham and York.

We are also grateful to all stakeholders who promoted the fund locally, your support has been invaluable. It’s been fantastic to see so many first-time applicants through our funding partner Neighbourly.

Successful projects will be announced in December, each helping to bring communities together and enhance local spaces along the route.

Winter works: between Leeds and York

Between Thursday, December 25,  2025 and Monday, January 26, 2026, sections of the railway between Leeds and York will close as we deliver major upgrades including: 

• Replacement of signalling and telecommunications systems
• Installation and testing of a new power supply
• Track remodelling at Church Fenton, including realignment of platforms 3 & 4 and installation of a new passing loop
• Replacement of tracks and installation of eight new switches and crossings
• Continued installation of overhead line equipment

These works will create a more reliable, efficient railway, enabling fast trains able to overtake slower ones, and paving the way for future line speed increases and additional capacity. The ongoing electrification work will enable greener, quieter electric trains in the future.

During this period there will be changes to train services between Leeds, York and Selby, details of which can be found on our website. In line with the normal Christmas timetable, no trains will run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. From Saturday, December 27 until Saturday, January 3, a number of routes will be closed to enable our teams to carry out the work, with customers kept on the move via rail replacement buses and diversionary routes.

From Sunday, January 4 all stations will reopen, with some local journeys temporarily replaced by buses. Normal service will resume on Monday, January 26. Passengers are advised to check before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk.

Upcoming work at Mirfield Station

From 22:40 on Monday 22 December to 05:10 on Saturday 27 December, the railway between Huddersfield and Dewsbury will be closed for major upgrade works at Mirfield station.

Work will include:

• Removing temporary platform hoarding and completing platform surfacing
• Installing new platform furniture
• Re-aligning track through the new station footprint
• Installing new signalling equipment

Once complete, the upgraded station will reopen with two new platforms and a new footbridge, increasing capacity and significantly improved accessibility for passengers.

Rail replacement buses will operate on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 December. No services will run on 25 or 26 December, in line with the standard Christmas timetable.

Hillhouse sidings opens in Huddersfield

TRU showcased on the global stage

Whitacre Street Bridge: Demolition and renewal

As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, the Whitacre Street Bridge in Deighton will be demolished over the Christmas period to make way for a taller, wider structure, accommodating new track and overhead line equipment.

The work will take place while the railway is closed between 10:40pm on Wednesday, December 24 and 5:30am on Saturday, December 27.

Last week, local residents attended a community drop-in session to learn more and ask questions about the upcoming works, resident feedback is important to help us plan and deliver improvements that work for local people.

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

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.

Leeds to York - weekend closure November 15 - 16
Major improvement works will take place which will include track renewal and drainage improvements.
Services between Leeds and York are being diverted while journeys to and from local stations in between will be replaced by rail replacement buses.

Mossley to Deighton - Sunday, November 16
Work includes strengthening work on Huddersfield viaduct and track renewals.
Passengers will be kept on the move via diversions and bus replacement services. 

Mossley to Deighton - Sunday, November 30
Work includes strengthening work on Huddersfield viaduct and track renewals.
Passengers will be kept on the move via diversions and bus replacement services. 

Huddersfield to Dewsbury - Tuesday, December 23 - Wednesday, December 24
Work includes station upgrades in Mirfield, scaffold installation at Huddersfield station and strengthening work on Huddersfield viaduct.
Passengers will be kept on the move via diversions and bus replacement services. 

Leeds to York - Saturday, December 27 to Monday, December 29
The signalling and telecommunications systems between Leeds and Church Fenton will be replaced, with a total of 54 new signals, supporting infrastructure and a brand new power supply installed, tested and brought into use. 
No trains will run between Leeds and York/Selby, with all trains being replaced by rail replacement buses.

Leeds to York - Monday, December 29 to Saturday, January 3
The signalling and telecommunications systems between Leeds and Church Fenton will be replaced, with a total of 54 new signals, supporting infrastructure and a brand new power supply installed, tested and brought into use.
No trains will run between Leeds and York, with services being replaced by replacement bus services. Trains will be able to run between Leeds and Selby/Hull, also providing a service to/from Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield stations.

Leeds to York - Sunday, January 4 to Sunday, January 25
Significant improvement works will be undertaken including track remodelling and track renewals. 8 new switches, crossings and overhead line equipment will also be installed.
Trains between Leeds and York will be diverted via Castleford. Trains between Leeds and Selby/Hull will run as normal, providing a service between Leeds and Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield stations. Journeys between York and Church Fenton & Ulleskelf stations will be provided by trains between York and Hull/Sheffield. Rail replacement buses will run between Micklefield and York.

Road Closures