TRU Stakeholder Update - May 2025

Good morning,

Welcome to the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s monthly stakeholder update for May.

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.

May key updates at a glance:

• Huddersfield station roof transformation

• TRU celebrates recognitions at Considerate Constructors Scheme Awards

• Easter upgrades at Mirfield complete

• All broad as father and son take 4500-mile ticket to visit TRU

• Young rail enthusiast visits TRU as part of Duke of Edinburgh journey

• Information on our rail closures planned for 2025, as TRU progress continues

TRU FAST FACTS

• TRU is a multi-billion pound railway programme 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 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 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 by rail while the core Transpennine route is disrupted to 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. Check our progress below which summarises the work and some of our key achievements in driving social value initiatives in communities.

Huddersfield station roof transformation

Click play to watch the video and learn more about this exciting development on Huddersfield station.

Last month, the partial removal of scaffolding marked a key milestone in the modernisation of Huddersfield station's roof, enhancing its durability while preserving historic features. A standout refurbishment included the extensive roof truss and renovated floral effect crests.

The station upgrades will improve the customer experience and boost economic growth in West Yorkshire, as Huddersfield station is an important gateway for the town. Soon, scaffolding and coverings will be removed, revealing 29 restored trusses and ornamental floral-effect joins.

TRU wins bronze at Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) Awards 

TRU was awarded bronze at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s National Site Awards, held on Tuesday 22 April. The CCS promotes best practices in the construction industry, encouraging improvements that reduce the impact on local communities, the environment, and the workforce. The annual awards recognise sites that go above and beyond in being considerate neighbours.

This recognition follows a strong performance in recent assessments, where TRU achieved full marks (45/45) at both the Huddersfield station site and the HD1 office premises. Several other sites across the programme also received a range of ‘excellent’ scores, highlighting the team's ongoing commitment to responsible and considerate construction.

Easter weekend blockades completed in Mirfield

Over the Easter weekend, TRU completed a major milestone in Mirfield with the opening of a new station entrance and platform, following work on Station Road. More than 700 metres of new track was installed to serve the platform, marking a significant step towards the station’s full reconstruction. These upgrades are part of wider plans to increase the number of rail lines through Mirfield from three to four, enabling faster and more reliable train services. A new accessible footbridge with lifts is also set to be installed, ensuring step-free access for all passengers.

Further progress was made along the route, including mining mitigation works in Ravensthorpe to support the new station and footbridge, and foundation work for overhead line equipment (OLE) in the Heaton Lodge, Huddersfield area. These activities form part of the essential enabling works helping to deliver key infrastructure upgrades across the Transpennine Route.

FURTHER RECENT NEWS

Translantic visitors get ticket to ride on the Transpennine Route

A father and son from Denver, Colorado, recently travelled over 4,500 miles to West Yorkshire for a special behind-the-scenes look at TRU. Daniel and Noah Shurz won the experience through a charity raffle organised by the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), which supports rail workers and their families. Their day began at Huddersfield station, where they met the team, learned about the ongoing upgrades, and met the station’s famous feline mascot, Bolt the Cat.

The tour continued with visits to HD1 and Ravensthorpe, one of the largest civil engineering sites in the UK, where they saw the new viaduct and new Calder Road bridge taking shape. After lunch with the TRU team, the visit wrapped up at Hillhouse Sidings, a new depot supporting train maintenance and operations, where they viewed recently installed overhead electrical wires.

Daniel praised the team’s progress and shared his excitement to return in the future to see the completed works. Team TRU expressed their pride in welcoming the duo and sharing the project's vision for faster, greener, and more reliable journeys. 

Young rail enthusiast visits TRU as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award

Weekend closures between Mossley and Deighton from Saturday May 10 to Sunday May 11 2025.

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.

Weekend closures between Huddersfield and Leeds from Saturday May 17 to Sunday May 18 2025.

On this weekend, major improvement works will take place which will include bridge works, track renewal, and drainage installations.

Midweek upgrades between Ravensthorpe and Leeds from Monday May 26 to Friday May 30 2025.

During the midweek closure, major improvement works will take place which will include track renewal and drainage improvements.

Weekend closures between Huddersfield and Leeds from Saturday May 31 to Sunday June 1 2025.

On this weekend, major improvement works will take place which will include track and drainage installations along the line.

Midweek upgrades between Ravensthorpe and Leeds from Monday June 2 to Friday June 6 2025.

During the midweek closure, major improvement works will take place which will include bridge works and drainage improvements.

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.

Road Closures

Between Greater Manchester and Leeds