TRU Stakeholder Update - March 2026

Good afternoon,

Welcome to the March 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.

March's key updates at a glance:

• Public consultation opens on TRU proposals for Standedge to Gledholt 

• Upcoming TRU works and service changes between Huddersfield & Leeds

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, cutting delay by half.
  • 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 come from within 40 miles of the route. 
• 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.

Our latest totals this period:

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.

Public consultation opens on TRU proposals for
Standedge to Gledholt

The public consultation on plans for station improvements between Standedge and Gledholt (Huddersfield) remains open until Friday 27 March 2026.

We have now held two public drop-in events at Slaithwaite Community Centre and Marsden Mechanics, each attended by around 120 people. All feedback received is being reviewed to inform design development and will be summarised in a formal consultation report.

To provide a further opportunity for residents to have their say, we will also be holding an additional Saturday drop-in event. The venue and timings will be confirmed shortly.

Residents who were unable to attend in person can still view the proposals and submit feedback via our virtual consultation room.

On Friday February 20, we welcomed Colne Valley MP, Paul Davies to Marsden to visit the station and hear about the proposed upgrades at the station, including:

• Provision of step free access from the station entrance to, and between, all platforms, as well as other accessibility improvements across the station.
• Increased platforms lengths for 6-car trains.
• Platforms on all running lines, noting an increase from two to three tracks between Marsden and Huddersfield.
• Improved car parking, with at least three Blue Badge spaces.
• Better local connections and improved drop-off facilities.

• Increased customer facilities including shelters, seating and information screens.

We are delivering essential improvements throughout April. For more details, please contact us.

Leeds to York/Selby - Saturday, 7 & Sunday, 8 March
We’re re-instating the Grade II-listed Crawshaw Woods bridge back into position, following renovation.
Longer distance services will be diverted, while other local services will be replaced by buses.

Bradford Forster Square to Leeds/Ilkley/Skipton - Sunday, 29 March

We are installing a new Under Track Crossing (UTX), to allow cables to pass beneath the railway, at Frizinghall Station. 
Trains between Bradford Forster Square and Leeds, Ilkley & Skipton via Shipley will not run. A rail replacement bus service will run between Bradford Forster Square and Shipley. Other train routes will be amended, with additional station stops added.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday, 4 & Sunday, 5 April

Major upgrade work is taking place between Marsden and Heaton Lodge.
Most longer distance services will be diverted between Manchester and Leeds via the Calder Valley, with some journeys requiring a change of trains. 
Stations between Marsden and Deighton, including Huddersfield, will be served by rail replacement buses.

Mossley to Deighton - Saturday, 4 & Sunday, 5 April
Work includes strengthening work on Huddersfield viaduct, continuation of Huddersfield station works & Deighton station re-build.
Passengers will be kept on the move via diversions and bus replacement services.

Leeds to York/Selby - Saturday, 4 & Sunday, 5 April
Further improvement works are taking place - we're renewing more track to bring smoother journeys; installing new overhead line equipment to carry the power for cleaner, quieter electric trains in the future, and carrying out upgrades to signals to ensure trains run reliably.
Longer distance services will be diverted, while other local services will be replaced by buses.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday, 11 & Sunday, 12 April

Major upgrade work is taking place between Marsden and Heaton Lodge.
Most longer distance services will be diverted between Manchester and Leeds via the Calder Valley, with some journeys requiring a change of trains.
Stations between Marsden and Deighton, including Huddersfield, will be served by rail replacement buses.

Mossley to Deighton - Saturday, 11 & Sunday, 12 April
Work includes strengthening work on Huddersfield viaduct, continuation of Huddersfield station works & Deighton station re-build.
Passengers will be kept on the move via diversions and bus replacement services.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday, 18 & Sunday, 19 April

Major upgrade work is taking place between Marsden and Heaton Lodge.
Most longer distance services will be diverted between Manchester and Leeds via the Calder Valley, with some journeys requiring a change of trains. 
Stations between Marsden and Deighton, including Huddersfield, will be served by rail replacement buses.

Mossley to Deighton - Saturday, 18 & Sunday, 19 April
Work includes strengthening work on Huddersfield viaduct, continuation of Huddersfield station works & Deighton station re-build.
Passengers will be kept on the move via diversions and bus replacement services.

Bradford Forster Square to Leeds/Ilkley/Skipton - Sunday, 19 April

We are altering the signalling system, from Frizinghall to Shipley Station junction, to unlock future enabling works for the new Shipley Train Care Centre.
Trains between Bradford Forster Square and Leeds, Ilkley & Skipton via Shipley will not run. Trains between Skipton and Leeds will also not run.
A rail replacement bus service will run between Bradford Forster Square and Guiseley. A limited train service will run between Skipton and Keighley

Bradford Forster Square to Shipley - Saturday, 25 April

We are installing 2 new Under Track Crossings (UTXs), to allow cables to pass beneath the railway, between Frizinghall Station and Shipley Station.

Trains between Bradford Forster Square and Shipley will not run. A rail replacement bus service will run between Bradford Forster Square and Shipley.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday, 25 & Sunday, 26 April

Major upgrade work is taking place between Marsden and Heaton Lodge.
Most longer distance services will be diverted between Manchester and Leeds via the Calder Valley, with some journeys requiring a change of trains.
Stations between Marsden and Deighton, including Huddersfield, will be served by rail replacement buses.

Mossley to Deighton - Saturday, 25 & Sunday, 26 April
Work includes strengthening work on Huddersfield viaduct, continuation of Huddersfield station works & Deighton station re-build.
Passengers will be kept on the move via diversions and bus replacement services.

Bradford Forster Square to Leeds/Ilkley/Skipton - Saturday, 25 April

We are installing 2 new Under Track Crossings (UTXs), to allow cables to pass beneath the railway, between Frizinghall Station and Shipley Station.
Trains between Bradford Forster Square and Leeds, Ilkley & Keighley via Shipley will not run. Trains between Skipton and Leeds will not run.
Rail replacement bus services will run between Skipton and Leeds, and between Bradford Forster Square and Guiseley. A limited train service will run between Skipton and Keighley. Other train routes will be amended, with additional station stops added.

Road Closures