Train passengers are being warned of disruption to rail services on most weekends through August, September and October.

On the affected weekends in September and October, there will be no trains to, from or through Huddersfield as the line is temporarily closed due to work on the multi-billion TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Trains will be diverted and rail replacement bus services will be in operation.

Passengers travelling along the rail line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York are advised to plan their journeys ahead of time.

In August work will continue to replace or strengthen railway bridges in the Huddersfield area and then in September and October engineers will replace approximately 650m of railway tracks.

This work will enable trains to travel at higher speeds and improve the overall reliability of services passing through the area in the future, as the number of railway tracks will increase from two to four.

While the railway line through Huddersfield will be temporarily closed, passengers will be kept on the move through a combination of diversionary routes and rail replacement buses.

Northern services between Huddersfield and Halifax will use alternative transport and services from Sheffield will terminate at Lockwood, with rail replacement buses running between Lockwood and Huddersfield.

TransPennine Express services will run to an amended timetable, with services between Manchester Victoria and Leeds using diversionary routes and not calling at Huddersfield. Rail replacement bus services will also be in use and passengers are advised to check before they travel.

Affected dates

August

  • Sunday 6 August 2023
  • Sunday 13 August 2023
  • Saturday 19 August to Sunday 20 August 2023

September and October

  • Saturday 9 September to Sunday 10 September 2023
  • Saturday 16 September to Sunday 17 September 2023
  • Saturday 23 September to Sunday 24 September 2023
  • Saturday 30 September to Sunday 1 October 2023
  • Saturday 7 October to Sunday 8 October 2023
  • Saturday 14 October to Sunday 15 October 2023
  • Saturday 21 October to Sunday 22 October 2023

Gareth Hope, sponsor for the TransPennine Route Upgrade, said: “Between September and October, we’ll be renewing the railway tracks in Huddersfield each weekend. This work is a key aspect of our wider upgrades and will not only allow for trains to travel at higher speeds in the future, but also increase the reliability of services.

“We’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition during the upgrades and passengers can rely on a mixture of diversionary routes and rail replacement buses to keep them moving.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while the work takes place and remind customers to check www.nationalrailenquiries.co.uk or with their respective train operator if travelling over this period.”

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said: “Whilst this work is essential and will lay the foundations for the transformation of Huddersfield station, we appreciate that nobody likes the thought of disruption to their journeys.

“That’s why we’ve worked hard to keep our customers on trains, with trains running as normal during these works between Sheffield, Barnsley and Lockwood, connecting with just a short bus journey between Lockwood and Huddersfield. I’d like to thank customers in advance for bearing with us whilst this work takes place.”