TRU Stakeholder Update - September 2026
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Good afternoon,
Welcome to the September 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. September's key updates at a glance:
New bridges mark major step towards electrification 2026 TRU Community Fund launches on 28 September Preparing for major upgrades in Huddersfield Key bridge replacement planned at Church Fenton |
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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: |
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£1.03bn spent with local businesses
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£540m spent with SME businesses |
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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. |
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New bridges mark major step towards electrification |
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Watch the installation of the new Ridge Road bridge, one of several bridge replacements helping prepare the route for future electrification. TRU reached another milestone in August with the installation of new bridges at Ridge Road, between Garforth and Micklefield and Austhorpe Lane in Cross Gates.
The bridges were installed during railway closures, using a 550-tonne crane, with the railway reopening as planned each Monday morning. The original bridges, removed in June, were too low to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed for future electrification. The new structures will help prepare the route for the introduction of cleaner, greener electric trains
Stonework recovered from the original bridges has also been cleaned and will be reused to clad the new structures, helping retain their character and appearance. | |
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2026 TRU Community Fund launches on 28 September
| Applications for the third round of the TRU Community Fund open on 28 September, with £270,000 available for projects that benefit communities along the route. Key information:
- Grants of £5,000 available, with organisations able to apply for up to £10,000 where this would deliver greater community benefit
- Funding can support projects that improve community spaces, create skills, education and employment opportunities, or support disadvantaged or under-represented groups
- Open to community organisations, charities, schools and other not-for-profit groups located within five kilometres of the TRU route or Shipley Traincare Centre
- Applications close on 9 October, although the fund may close earlier if demand is high
Please help us spread the word among eligible community groups, schools, charities and local organisations in your area, so as many communities as possible can benefit.
Further information, including how to apply and details of an online applicant briefing session, is available here. |
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| Preparing for major upgrades in Huddersfield |
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TRU will enter a major phase of work in Huddersfield, with 16 days of railway upgrades taking place from 19 September to 4 October. During this period, teams will continue work to transform Huddersfield and Deighton stations, renew track and drainage, install new track and progress electrification infrastructure.
The improvements will help create a more reliable and accessible railway, increase capacity for longer and more frequent services, and prepare the route for greener electric trains in the future.
To enable the work to take place safely, Huddersfield and Slaithwaite stations will be closed, with an amended timetables operating on services that would normally run through Huddersfield station. Trains will be diverted where possible, with rail replacement buses also in operation.
There will also be additional station closures on 19-20 September and 3-4 October. Customers are encouraged to check their journey before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk. |
| Key bridge replacement planned at Church Fenton |
Preparations are continuing for the replacement of Common Lane bridge at Church Fenton with the main works planned for 24 October to 1 November.
The existing bridge is too low to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed for future electrification. Replacing it is therefore an important step in preparing the route for electric trains. The work will also support a more modern and reliable railway, with temporary changes to train services required when the bridge is replaced. |
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Upcoming engineering work: what to expect |
Work continues across the route as we deliver improvements to prepare for future electrification. Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturdays & Sundays, 5 & 6 and 12 & 13 September
Work will continue at Ravensthorpe, Mirfield, Deighton and Huddersfield including new track installation, station improvements and preparations for future overhead line equipment. There will be some changes to services. Customers will be kept on trains wherever possible, with rail replacement buses operating where this is not possible.
Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October Major improvement works are taking place between Stalybridge and Mirfield over 16 days, including:
- Track and drainage renewals in Huddersfield & Gledholt tunnels
- Installation of new track
- Improvements at Huddersfield and Deighton stations
- Installation of overhead line equipment
This work means that there will be some changes to services during this period. Customers will be kept on trains wherever possible, with rail replacement buses operating where this is not possible.
Leeds to York – Saturday & Sunday, 10 & 11 October We are demolishing the life-expired bridge at Church Fenton between Leeds and York and replacing it with a new structure designed to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed to power faster, cleaner and quieter electric trains in the future.
Trains between Leeds and York will be replaced by rail replacement buses between Leeds and York (direct) and between Micklefield and York, calling at local stations in between. Trains between Leeds and Selby will continue to run, serving Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield stations. Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday & Sunday, 10 & 11 October
Improvement works will continue at Huddersfield and Deighton stations. Huddersfield Station will be closed and there will be some changes to services. Customers will be kept on trains wherever possible, with rail replacement buses operating where this is not possible.
Leeds to York - Saturday & Sunday, 17 & 18 October We are starting work to replace the life-expired bridge at Church Fenton.
Trains between Leeds and York will be diverted via Castleford. Trains between Leeds and Selby will continue to run, serving Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield stations. Rail replacement buses will run between Micklefield and York. Leeds to York - Saturdays 24 & 31 October & Sundays 25 October & 1 November
We are continuing work to replace the life-expired bridge at Church Fenton. Network Rail is also carrying out major track renewal and other improvement works in the York Station area. There will be no trains to and from York, except between York and Scarborough only. Rail replacement buses will be provided.
Leeds to York - Monday 26 October to Friday 31 October We are continuing work to replace the life-expired bridge at Church Fenton.
Trains between Leeds and York will be replaced by rail replacement buses between Leeds and York (direct) and between Micklefield and York, calling at local stations in between. Trains between Leeds and Selby will continue to run, serving Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield stations. |
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To deliver upgrades safely, a number of road closures are in place or planned. If you would like more information about the works, please contact us.
Deighton - Whitacre Street: Closed until December 2026.
- Colliery Bridge / Wheatleys: Closed until early 2027
- Birkby Bradley Greenway: Currently closed. Opening date TBC.
- A62 Leeds Road: Closed on weekends 18-21 Sept, 2-5 & 9-12 October, 13-16 November 2026.
Huddersfield
- John William Street: Closed 27-28 Sept 2026.
- Fitzwilliam Street: Closed on 27-28 Sept 2026.
- A641 Bradford Road / Northgate: Closed from Monday to Fridays, between 10 August – 4 September 2026.
- Gledholt Bank Road: Closed 22-25 & 28-29 September 2026.
Please note that the A641 Bradford Road / Northgate, A62 Leeds Road and Colne Bridge Road will not be closed at the same time during this period. The full list of the Huddersfield road closure dates can be found on our website.
Ravensthorpe - Calder Road: Closed to vehicles until autumn 2026.
- Calder Valley Greenway: Closed until September 2027.
- Spen Valley Greenway: Closed until September 2027.
Batley - Jack Lane: Closed until Monday 7 September 2026.
Garforth & Micklefield
A656 Ridge Road: Closed over the railway line from Monday 2 March until Friday 4 December to enable the bridge to be reconstructed to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed to power greener, quieter, faster electric trains. Traffic will be diverted via the A63 and A642 along a clearly signposted diversionary route.
Cross Gates
Church Fenton
Common Lane: Closed over the railway line from Monday 13 July 2026 until Friday 4 June 2027 to enable the bridge to be reconstructed to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed to power greener, quieter, faster electric trains. Traffic will be diverted via Sherburn-in-Elmet along a clearly signposted diversionary route. Whilst a temporary extension to the existing station footbridge will enable pedestrians and cycles to cross the line. |
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We want to thank you for your continued support as TRU transforms the railway in the North of England. If you have questions or want to speak with us, please email: TRUCommunications@networkrail.co.uk.
For more information about the programme, please visit theTRUpgrade.co.uk.
Warm regards, Team TRU |
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