TRU Stakeholder Update - April 2026

Good afternoon,

Welcome to the April 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.

April's key updates at a glance:

• TRU Community Fund recognised at national rail awards

• Progress continues at Shipley Traincare Centre

• Historic bridge reinstated at Crawshaw Woods
• Upcoming 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.

TRU Community Fund recognised nationally

The TRU Community Fund has been Highly Commended in the Corporate Social Responsibility category at this year’s Spotlight Rail Awards.

Delivered across 2024 and 2025, the TRU Community Fund has supported more than 60 community groups, charities and schools, with over £400,000 invested in local projects along the route. These grants are helping to enhance local spaces and places along the Transpennine route, creating lasting benefits for the communities we serve.

This recognition reflects the collective effort across the TRU Enterprise to deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for local communities.

Progress continues at Shipley Traincare Centre

Work is progressing well at the new Shipley Traincare Centre, where the TRU is investing over £100 million in a key new rail facility for West Yorkshire.

The facility will initially support Northern’s electric train fleet on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, before becoming a permanent depot, supporting up to 100 skilled roles and strengthening long-term rail operations in the region.

Key progress includes:

• Site clearance and ground preparation completed
• Contaminated material removed
• Retaining wall installed to enable main construction

The site recently welcomed Department for Transport Programme Director Farha Sheikh, highlighting the project’s importance in strengthening rail resilience across the North.

Historic bridge reinstated at Crawshaw Woods

The Grade II listed Crawshaw Woods Bridge, located between Cross Gates and Garforth, has now been carefully reinstalled by TRU engineers, marking a major milestone in its restoration.

Dating back to 1834, it is believed to be the oldest cast-iron railway bridge in the world still in use over a live railway. As part of the works, the bridge has been raised to create space for the future installation of overhead line equipment, which will help power faster, cleaner and quieter electric trains on the route.

Following refurbishment, works will now continue to restore the surrounding stonework, ensuring the structure is preserved for future generations.

We are delivering a series of upgrades throughout April, May and June. For more details, please contact us.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bradford Forster Square to Leeds/Ilkley/Skipton - Sunday, 26 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.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday, 2 May to Monday, 25 May
Upgrade works will take place between Deighton and Mirfield, including track and drainage renewals. A new bridge deck will be installed at Deighton, alongside ongoing signalling work and testing. Construction will continue at the new Deighton station, while in Huddersfield, station upgrades and viaduct strengthening works will progress. Works will also be carried out at Wheatley’s Bridge in Mirfield.
Please follow the link here for a full list of service changes.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday, 30 May to Monday, 27 June
Works are taking place between Bradley Junction, near Deighton and Mirfield, and Leeds, including track and drainage renewals to improve reliability, alongside ongoing overhead line equipment (OLE) works to support future electrification. At Batley and Dewsbury stations, platform extensions and wider upgrade works are progressing to improve capacity and accessibility. Elsewhere, reconstruction of the Jack Lane bridge in Batley is ongoing as part of the wider upgrade works.
Please follow the link here for a full list of service changes.

Leeds to York/Selby – Saturdays & Sundays, 6 & 7, 13 & 14 and 20 & 21 June
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.

Road Closures