The first images of the new-look Huddersfield Railway Station have been published.

Network Rail is planning a £1 billion upgrade of the TransPennine line between Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

The plans will see a doubling of the number of tracks from two to four and will include full electrification to ensure faster and more reliable services.

Major infrastructure works will be carried out on an eight-mile stretch of track. A key part of the scheme will see extensions to the platforms and associated building work carried out at the Grade I-listed Huddersfield Railway Station.

Network Rail has submitted a Transport and Works Order Act to the Secretary of State for Transport. Requests for listed building consent for the station – and Huddersfield Viaduct – have also been submitted to Kirklees Council.

Huddersfield Railway Station, built between 1846 and 1849, was granted Grade I-listed status in March 1952. Its classical frontage with eight Corinthian columns is widely regarded as one of the finest facades of any railway station in Britain.

The planned changes to Huddersfield Station include:

  • Re-arrangement of platforms including the lengthening and widening of Platform 1;
  • Replacement of two trainshed roofs and the installation of a roof canopy;
  • Construction of a new footbridge towards the northern end of the platforms;
  • The extension of the existing passenger subways;
  • Dismantling and relocation of the timber-boarded Tea Rooms;
  • Installation of Overhead Line Equipment throughout the station.
What the new footbridge could look like

The work at the station is part of the wider TransPennine Route Upgrade – a programme of works designed to transform journeys between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and Leeds.

Before submitting the order, Network Rail carried out extensive public and stakeholder consultation. Nine events took place in 2019 where people could view the plans, ask questions and share their feedback.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the start of the first national lockdown meant the planned face to face events due to take place in Spring 2020 were cancelled but people had the opportunity to view the plans online and send further feedback.

A further round of information events were held in October 2020. Strict social distancing measures were in place and the public were invited to attend the events if they were unable to access the updated plans online.

Neil Holm, TransPennine route upgrade director for Network Rail, said: “We know improvements are needed on this section of the line between Huddersfield and Westtown (Dewsbury) and submitting the Transport and Works Order Act is a major milestone in the project to upgrade the route and better connect the North.

Huddersfield Railway Station – classical on the outside

“The Covid-19 pandemic brought challenges to our extensive public and stakeholder consultation, but we continued to hold our events virtually and made the plans available online. We want to thank everyone who has provided feedback, which has been vital in shaping the plans.

“If approved, the project will bring a more reliable railway with more trains, more seats, faster journeys and more choice for passengers.”

Now the application has been formally submitted, a decision is expected to be made by early 2023. If successful, work will begin on site that year. It has previously been reported that there could be disruption on the line for 39 weeks at least.