TRU Stakeholder Update - July 2026

Good afternoon,

Welcome to the July 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.

July's key updates at a glance:

• Dewsbury & Batley: Key progress delivered
• Bridge removals pave the way for electrification
• Community Fund projects begin transforming local commnuities
• A lookahead to major works on TRU

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 delays 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.

Dewsbury & Batley: Key progress delivered

TRU teams have successfully completed 28 days of intense engineering works between Morley and Dewsbury, delivering another important step towards a faster, more reliable, and greener railway.

During 30 May to 27 June, we completed a wide range of improvements that will support future services and improve the customer experience, including:

• Renewing track and drainage to improve railway reliability
• Installing foundations and masts to support future electrification
• Upgrading Batley station, with longer platforms and improved customer facilities
• Enhancing Dewsbury station with extended platforms, improved roof canopies and a strengthened footbridge
• Reconstructing Jack Lane bridge in Dewsbury to create the clearance needed for future electrification longer trains

While significant progress has now been made, work will continue in the coming months, including further improvements at Huddersfield station throughout the summer.

Bridge removals mark progress towards electrification

Two bridges between Cross Gates and Micklefield have now been removed as part of preparations to electrify the route.

The existing Austhorpe Lane bridge and Ridge Road bridges did not provide enough clearance for the overhead line equipment needed to power cleaner, quieter electric trains. Their removal marks another important milestone in modernising the railway.

As part of our commitment to reducing waste, stone from the original structures is being refurbished and will be reused to clad the replacement bridges when they are installed later this summer, helping to retain the character of the local area.

Community projects already making a difference

Communities along the route are already seeing the benefits of the 2025 TRU Community Fund. The fund provided grants up to £20,000 to support projects within five miles of the TRU route, helping local organisations improve community spaces, create new opportunities and strengthen neighbourhoods.

Projects completed so far include:

• Rise in Unity youth hub, Huddersfield – a new kitchen and dining space, providing a safer and more welcoming environment for young people
• Monk Fryston School, Leeds – a new cycle shelter encouraging active and healthier journeys to school
• The Barn, Tadcaster – upgraded kitchen facilities supporting a thriving community hub

Many more projects are underway creating greener spaces, improving accessibility and supporting skills and learning opportunities, wellbeing and community connections.

Applications for the next round of TRU Community Fund will open later this year. We will keep you updated as further details and application dates are announced.

Upcoming engineering work: what to expect 

Work continues throughout the summer as we deliver improvements across the route. For more details, please contact us.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturdays & Sundays, 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 25 & 26 July and 1 & 2 August

We will continue transforming Huddersfield Station, including installing sections of the new station roof, extending platforms, completing the new footbridge and commissioning new lifts.

There will be no trains between Stalybridge and Mirfield, and no trains at Huddersfield Station. Services between Manchester and Leeds will be diverted via the Calder Valley route, with rail replacement buses serving stations that cannot be accessed by train.

Bradford Forster Square to Leeds - Sunday 19 July, Sunday 26 July and Saturday 1 to Monday 3 August

Construction continues at the Shipley Train Care Centre, with new Under Track Crossings and drainage improvements to support the future operation of the facility.

Customers will be kept on trains wherever possible, however for services where this is not possible, rail replacement buses will be in place.

Leeds to York/Selby – Saturdays & Sundays, 8 & 9, 15 & 16 and 22 & 23 August

We will install replacement bridges at Austhorpe Lane and Ridge road, renew sections of track and continue preparing the route for electrification.

Long distance services will be diverted, while services to and from local stations will be replaced by buses.

Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturdays & Sundays, 5 & 6 and 12 & 13 September

Work will continue at Ravensthorpe, Mirfield, Deighton and Huddersfield as we install new track, progress station improvements and prepare for future overhead line equipment.

There will be some changes to services, with customers kept on trains wherever possible, however for services where this is not possible, rail replacement buses will be in place.

Road Closures