TRU Stakeholder Update - October 2026
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Good afternoon,
Welcome to the October 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. October's key updates at a glance:
A £1 billion investment in new electric trains as part of TRU's passenger benefits. - Applications now open for the £270,000 TRU Community Fund.
- TRU supporting young people and skill.
Latest phase of Huddersfield improvements near completion. Another key step towards electrification between Leeds & York. |
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TRU social value impact
Sustainable development keeps us on track to a better future for the 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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£1.04bn spent with local businesses
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£552.7m 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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| A £1 billion investment in new electric trains as part of TRU's passenger benefits |
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A computer-generated visualisation of the new train fleet |
A new fleet of 29 battery-electric trains has been announced for TransPennine Express, as part of TRU's passenger benefits, supporting the ongoing transformation of rail services across the North.
The trains will be built at Alstom's historic Derby factory, supporting more than 350 jobs at Alstom and almost 6,000 jobs across the UK supply chain. Expected to enter service from winter 2034, the trains will provide more seats, improved accessibility and level boarding. They will operate on the electrified railway being delivered through TRU, alongside the programme's investments in stations and increased capacity. |
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Applications now open for the £270,000 TRU Community Fund
| Applications for the third round of the TRU Community Fund opened on Monday 28 September, with £270,000 available to support projects that benefit communities along the TRU route. The fund has already supported more than 60 local organisations, helping to improve community facilities, create opportunities and support local people.
Key information: - Grants of £5,000 are available, with organisations able to apply for up to £10,000 where this would deliver greater community benefit.
- The fund is open to community organisations, charities, schools and other not-for-profit groups within five kilometres of the TRU route or the Shipley Traincare Centre site.
- Applications close on 9 October and may close earlier if demand is high.
Organisations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Further information on eligibility and how to apply is available here. |
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How the 2026 TRU Community Fund has made a difference | |
TRU supporting young people and skills |  |
Young people taking part in a TRU STEAM event at Greenhead Collage in Huddersfield, exploring careers in rail, engineering and infrastructure |
A new report on youth activity in the UK by former minister Alan Milburn has highlighted the importance of helping young people to develop skills, experience and connections they need to move into education and employment.
Major infrastructure programmes have an important role to play in creating these opportunities. Through its STEAM education, careers outreach and work experience programmes, TRU is helping young people across the route learn more about the range of careers available in rail, engineering and infrastructure.
To date, TRU has engaged 67,568 children through STEAM-inclusive educational activities and delivered 925 STEAM events. The programme has also supported 455 apprentices and 222 graduates, while volunteers have contributed more than 22,000 hours supporting communities and schools across the route.
TRU is also giving young people opportunities to gain practical experience of the industry, with 17,775 days of work experience across 342 placements. These placements provide insight into careers across rail, engineering and infrastructure and help young people develop skills and experience for the future.
Together, these activities form part of TRU's wider commitment to generate up to £4.28bn in social value for the North, helping ensure that investment in the railway delivers benefits for communities and future generations, alongside improved transport connectivity. |
| Latest phase of Huddersfield improvements nearing completion |
Work is nearing completion on TRU's latest programme of improvements in the Huddersfield area, with the railway due to reopen on 5 October. During the 16-day closure, teams have progressed improvements at Huddersfield and Deighton stations, renewed track and drainage, installed new track and continued preparations for future electrification.
The works will support a more reliable railway, improve accessibility and provide capacity for longer and more frequent services. During a recent visit to Huddersfield station, Kirklees Council's new leadership team saw first-hand and heard about the wider programme and its role in supporting regeneration and future investment in the town and wider borough. |
 | TRU's project team briefing Kirklees Council's new leadership team on progress at Huddersfield station |
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| Another key step towards electrification between Leeds and York | TRU has completed a five-year programme of track renewals between York and Neville Hill, improving the condition of the railway and preparing the route for future electrification.
The next key milestone is the replacement of Common Lane bridge at Church Fenton. Preparatory work is now underway, with the main works planned from 24 October to 1 November. Temporary changes to train services will be required while the bridge is replaced. The new bridge will provide the clearance needed for future overhead line equipment. |
 | Electrification insfrastructure taking shape between Leeds and York |
| Upcoming engineering work: what to expect |
Work continues across the route to improve the railway and prepare for future electrification. The following works will affect train services during October and November. 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 and 11 October
Work will begin to replace the existing bridge at Church Fenton with a new structure designed to provide the clearance needed for future overhead line equipment. 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.
Leeds to York - Saturday & Sunday, 17 and 18 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 and Sundays 25 October and 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.
Manchester to Huddersfield/Leeds - Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 November We are carrying out further improvement work between Leeds and York.
Services will be diverted via Brighouse to keep customers on trains wherever possible, with rail replacement buses operating where this is not possible. Leeds to York - Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 November
We are starting work to replace the life-expired bridge at Church Fenton. Trains between Leeds and York will be diverted via Castleford with rail replacement buses serving local stations in between. |
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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 January 2027
- Colliery Bridge / Wheatleys: Closed until early 2027.
- Birkby Bradley Greenway: Currently closed until Spring 2027.
- A62 Leeds Road: Closed to vehicles on weekends 2-5 & 9-12 October, 13-16 November 2026.
Huddersfield
- Part of Huddersfield ring road (Castlegate / Unna Way): Night-time closures (22:00-06:00) until November.
- A641 Bradford Road / Northgate: Closed Monday to Friday from 19-23 and 26-30 October.
- John William Street / Fitzwilliam Street junction: Closed on Saturday nights (20:00 – 09:00) on 7, 21 and 28 November 2026.
- Access from Bradford Road to Lower Viaduct Street (Ray Street): Weeknights (21:00–07:00) from 5-9 and 12-16 October.
Please note that the A641 Bradford Road / Northgate and A62 Leeds 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 October 2026.
- Calder Valley Greenway: Closed until September 2027.
- Spen Valley Greenway: Closed until September 2027.
Dewsbury - George Street: Closed from 9 November 06:00 to 21 December at 06:00.
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 is being diverted via the A63 and A642 along a clearly signposted diversionary route.
Cross Gates - Austhorpe Lane: Closed over the railway line between 7 April 2026 and 15 January 2027 to enable the bridge to be reconstructed to accommodate the overhead line equipment needed. Traffic is being diverted via Austhorpe Road, Station Road and Ring Road Halton.
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 is being 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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