Keeping you moving
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is transforming rail travel across the North. It's a multi-billion-pound programme that will better connect customers between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, bringing faster, more frequent and greener journeys.
Upgrading the Transpennine main line means that, at times, sections of the railway will need to close while major improvements are carried out.
Your journey may look a little different during this time, but replacement travel options will be available to help you reach your destination.
Disruption information
What this means for your journey
On weekends between 8th August and 13th September, excluding the bank holiday weekend, work will take place between Huddersfield, Leeds and York. For all or part of your journey, rail replacement buses will keep you moving while teams carry out track and signalling upgrades and install overhead wires to enable electrification.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and check their journey before travelling via National Rail or with train operators TransPennine Express or Northern.
Building a better railway for the North
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is already delivering benefits for passengers across the route. Thousands of metres of new track, major station upgrades and electrification are helping to increase capacity, improve accessibility and connectivity and support greener journeys.
More than 25% of the railway is now electrified, with this expected to increase to 40% by summer 2027. Full electrification is planned for the early 2030s.
All 23 stations included in the Transpennine Route Upgrade are being upgraded, with many gaining step-free access. Improvements to trains and services are also helping to create a faster, more reliable and better-connected railway.
Once the programme is complete, journeys between Manchester and York are expected to be up to 20% faster, with around 30% more seats available for passengers.
Transforming stations across the route
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is improving the passenger experience with more accessible stations, modern facilities and better connections across the region.
New stations at Morley and Mirfield are already open, while upgrades at Batley and Dewsbury are expected to be completed later this year.
The next phase includes major station improvements at Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe, with more accessible, modern stations planned by early 2027.
Once complete, the programme will have transformed six stations across West Yorkshire, making journeys easier and more comfortable for local communities.
Supporting jobs, skills and future generations
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is investing in local communities as well as the railway, creating jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities across the North.
The programme has already generated billions in social value and employed hundreds of apprentices. By 2035, it is expected to support thousands of jobs, including around 590 apprenticeships, helping to build skills and opportunities for future generations.