TRU Stakeholder Update March 2025
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TRU Stakeholder Update - March 2025
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Good morning,
Welcome to the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s monthly stakeholder update for March. As a multi-billion-pound transformative railway programme in the North of England, TRU recognises the importance of keeping our stakeholders informed and engaged as we work to deliver more reliable, faster, and greener train services for our customers and freight.
March key updates at a glance: TRU welcomes Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy New Managing Director joins TRU TRU celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2025 with major milestones Upgrade work commenced in Mirfield canal towpath as part of TRU's First and Last Mile scheme Weekend blockades in Huddersfield and Deighton completed Information on our rail blockades planned for 2025, as TRU construction speeds up |
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TRU FAST FACTS
| TRU is an £10.7bn electric railway upgrade, which aims to:
Provide 15% quicker journeys between York and Manchester on reliable electric trains. Offer up to six fast services every hour (from four per hour) between Leeds and Manchester. Halve time lost to delays on trans-Pennine services. - Deliver early benefits with electric trains running now between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.
- We've created 5000 jobs on TRU to date, and 85% of colleagues come from within 40 miles of the route. We will create over 8000 jobs during the duration of the programme.
We’re expanding freight provision – widening tunnels so shipping container can travel from between ports on the east and west of the country via rail, helping remove up to 1000 lorries a day from the clogged roads across the Pennines. While working on a live railway, we are keeping customers updated with comprehensive customer handling plans. We have improved the railway on three diversionary routes to allow more trains to run, to help keep customers and freight moving while the core Transpennine route is disrupted to deliver essential works. |
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TRU social value in numbers
We believe sustainable development is the only way to keep us on track to a better future for rail in the North. Check our progress below which summarises the work and some of our key achievements in driving social value initiatives in communities. |
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£573m spent with local businesses
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£303m spent with SME businesses |
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| Rail Minister marks TRU visit with time capsule |
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On February 27, Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy visited Ravensthorpe and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire to see the progress of the TRU. Accompanied by Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, they joined local schoolchildren and TRU apprentices in placing a time capsule at Ravensthorpe to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. The time capsule, placed under the new viaduct's foundations, includes items such as a rail ticket, a local newspaper, and schoolchildren's design for the future railway.
James Richardson, TRU Managing Director, highlighted the importance of the work in Ravensthorpe and Huddersfield for unlocking faster trains, more services, and increased freight movements.
Lord Peter Hendy pointed out the upgrades' role in slashing journey times and investing in greener, more reliable services between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. Meanwhile, Tracy Brabin stressed the importance of improved transport for growth and connectivity across the north.
The TRU programme, with a workforce of 5,000 aiming to grow to 8,000, is delivering significant social and economic benefits, including new electric services and increased capacity. |
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New Managing Director joins TRU |
James Richardson has begun his role as the new Managing Director of TRU. James takes on this role at a time when the programme is employing over 5000 people, with 70 active work sites over 70 miles and 90% of projects in the design and delivery stage.
As work ramps up further this year to deliver a fully electrified railway, the programme has already invested over £500 million with local businesses and is recruiting sustainably, with 85% of the workforce living within 40 miles of the route.
He brings a wealth of experience in major programmes, with his most recent post being Managing Director of the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture delivering the HS2 London tunnels. He has also held positions on programmes such as HS1, M25DBFO, Crossrail, Northern Hub, Wessex Capacity Alliance, and Thameslink. |
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“I’m thrilled to be leading a programme of such national and regional importance, which will make such a great economic impact as we transform train travel in the north.
“In my first weeks getting across the route, it’s clear that Team TRU is full of hugely talented and committed people, who are really focussed on getting the job done. I’m proud to work with them.” |
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| TRU apprenticeship numbers prove commitment to opening opportunities |
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| Click play to watch the apprentices speak about their experiences on the video above |
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As TRU celebrated National Apprenticeship Week from 10-16 February, the halfway mark had already been surpassed in its aim to take on 590 apprentices across the entire duration of the programme.
Since 2019, TRU has employed 349 apprentices across various fields, including engineering, sustainability, project management, and construction. Amongst all the apprentices, 230 are new entrants, starting their careers with TRU, while 43 are existing employees upskilling through apprentices. These apprentices are integral to the multi-billion-pound railway programme transforming journeys across the north of England.
A notable initiative driven by TRU is the PlanBEE Rail which was launched in September 2024. It is a higher apprenticeship programme aimed at developing future project managers. PlanBEE Rail allows apprentices to work on rail projects across Yorkshire, including TRU. With eight apprentices currently in the programme, applications for the next cohort, starting in September 2025, are now open.
Click the button below for further details on the scheme and to apply for a PlanBEE Rail role. |
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Weekend blockades completed in Huddersfield and Deighton
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TRU has successfully completed a series of works during the first six weekends of 2025 in Huddersfield area, achieving significant milestones such as 730m of track renewed and two switch point ends, 140 metres of track drainage at Huddersfield station and 11 OLE foundations installed.
The next phase of the work will commence between Ravensthorpe and Leeds in March, and will see over 1.9km of new track installed and over 860m of drainage renewed. |
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Upgrade work commenced on Mirfield canal towpath
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With funding offered through TRU’s First and Last Mile scheme, the Canal & River Trust is upgrading the canal towpath between Shepley Bridge Marina and Station Road in Mirfield, with work starting on Monday February 10. This project aims to improve journeys to and from the station by transforming the muddy, difficult path into an all-weather surface, enhancing pedestrian use and connectivity in the area.
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In January, Team TRU has dedicated an impressive 106 hours to support various charities. The efforts of staff from across the programme has made a significant impact on the community, and we are excited to share some of the highlights. Transforming spaces for a healthier community with Your Trust
Our team has been volunteering on a project to transform a neglected changing room into a vibrant new bicycle hub in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Thanks to £4651 in funding from TRU Community Fund, this space will soon host cycling sessions and maintenance classes, encouraging the community to lead active and healthy lives. The team painted walls and prepared the area, ensuring it will be a welcoming and functional space for all.
Enhancing community spaces with SAWN With almost £5k in funding from TRU Community Fund to SAWN, team TRU volunteers rolled up their sleeves to improve community spaces in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They cut back vegetation, planted trees, weeded, laid paving stones, and spread woodchip. These efforts were aimed at creating a more welcoming and sustainable environment for everyone.
Preparing a pond for frog spawning season with Hulme Community Garden We carefully laid sand, soil, and liner material, and planted beds around the pond edge. This project is part of TRU Community Fund which received £2510 in funding. It is not only to support local wildlife, but also promotes biodiversity and environmental education within the community.
Educating future generations Our commitment to education took us to a local primary school in Wakefield, where we engaged Year 5 and 6 students in a session about the dangers of electricity near railways. Through interactive presentations, videos, and quizzes, we discussed electric currents, circuits, and the importance of vigilance. The students were incredibly engaged, asking insightful questions and showing a keen interest in the topic.
Supproting local food bank in The Welcome Centre We spent the day sorting donations and preparing food parcels, providing essential support to individuals and families in crisis in Huddersfield. Witnessing the teamwork and compassion at the food bank was truly inspiring, and we are proud to have played a part in helping those in need. |
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Check what's happening at your station on the newly revamped TRU website
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The revamped TRU website is now live. The site now features an interactive map that allows users to easily check what's happening at their local station. The new feature includes detailed information on each of our local stations, ensuring users have all the insights they need at their fingertips. This user-friendly tool also makes it simpler to stay connected and informed about the latest updates at the station. Explore the upgraded website today by clicking on the button below.
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| Check your station here
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UPCOMING UPGRADES
| Rail Closures | Between Huddersfield and Leeds |
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Midweek closures between Ravensthorpe and Leeds from Monday March 3 to Friday March 21, excluding weekends.
The closure is required to facilitate track renewals in Batley, OLE foundation and steel installation between Morley and Leeds, and drainage renewals near Leeds.
Weekend closures between Mossley and Deighton between Saturday 29 March and Sunday 11 May 2025. On Saturdays and Sundays during the closure period, our team will carry out upgrades to facilitate track renewals, OLE foundation installation, station and bridge works in Huddersfield and Deighton.
Long weekend closure between Huddersfield and Dewsbury on Saturday April 19, Sunday April 20 and Monday April 21 2025 (Easter weekend).
We will carry out work to facilitate upgrades at Mirfield station which includes the completion of the new platform and the new station entrance from Station Road, along with track renewals to serve the new platform. | Between Leeds and York |
Weekend closures of the line between Leeds and Church Fenton from March 8 - 9 and 15-16.
During these works, we will carry out the installation of overhead line equipment (OLE) foundations and masts; track renewal and drainage upgrades.
Weekend closures of the line between Leeds and York from Saturday March 22 to Sunday March 23. We will replace two sets of points (moveable sections of track) south of York, and complete a crucial key element of our overhead electrification at Colton Junction that will allow electric passenger trains to start running between York and Church Fenton later this year.
This is in addition to the installation of overhead line equipment (OLE) foundations and masts; track renewal and drainage upgrades.
To keep customers on the move, diversionary routes and rail replacement buses will be in use. Customers are being asked to plan their journey ahead of time by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk.
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| Road Closures | Between Huddersfield and Leeds |
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Thornhill Road, in Dewsbury, is currently closed to vehicles from January 6 to June 22 2025.
A further closure is planned to start on Fall Lane at the end of March. The closures are required to complete utility diversions, as part of work to re-align the road layout and the nearby track for line speed improvement. Access remains in place to businesses and properties along Thornhill Road and Fall Lane.
Please note: Both Fall Lane and Thornhill Road will reopen from 7pm on Friday May 16 to 5am on Monday May 19 2025.
The A641 Bradford Road / Northgate in Huddersfield is currently closed to vehicles and pedestrians on weekends until mid-May.
A full list of the closure dates can be found here. The closures are required to facilitate strengthening work to Huddersfield viaduct before new track is installed.
Whitacre Street, in Deighton, is currently closed to vehicles until Monday April 7. Access remains open for pedestrians, including access to the station.
The closure will enable sheet piling to be carried out to the east of Whitacre Street bridge, as part of wider work to replace the bridge with a new structure so that overhead line equipment can be installed through the area.
Station Road, in Mirfield, Street, is planned to shut on Saturday nights and some full weekends between Friday March 21 and Tuesday April 22 2025. The closures will facilitate the completion of the new platform and the new station entrance from Station Road, along with track renewals to serve the new platform.
| Between Leeds and York |
Station Road, in Cross Gates, Leeds, will be closed from Monday March 31 until Tuesday November 25.
The southbound carriageway of Station Road will be closed to enable reconstruction work to take place, creating room for electrical overhead lines to be installed, enabling faster, greener and more frequent electric trains to run. Drivers making longer journeys through the area to reach the M1 and A63 will be diverted via the westbound A64 and southbound East Leeds Orbital Route.
Drivers making shorter journeys within the local area will be diverted via Austhorpe Road, Manston Lane, the East Leeds Orbital Route and Selby Road.
Early preparation work for the Station Road bridge occurred from Monday February 17 to Saturday March 8, involving the diversion of utility services within the central reservation. More information and project updates can be found at theTRUpgrade.co.uk/StationRoad. |
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We want to thank you for your continued support as TRU transforms the railway in the North of England.
The TRU monthly stakeholder update is just one of the ways we communicate and share information with you. If there is anything you would like to discuss, please contact the TRU Communications Team: TRUCommunications@networkrail.co.uk.
For more information, please visit theTRUpgrade.co.uk.
Warm regards, Team TRU |
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