Month of major upgrades completed on TRU

More than 3,000m of new track has been installed and work carried out on over 13,000m of cables for signalling improvements as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

From April 22-May17 midweek line closures saw engineers work around the clock to complete track and signalling work as part of the TRU, bringing passengers a step closer to faster, greener and more reliable trains between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Five redundant signal bases were also removed and work was undertaken to the platforms at Morley station.

Through collaboration between Network Rail, Northern and TransPennine Express, diversionary routes and replacement buses were utilised to keep passengers on the move during the work.

Jonathan Hepton, sponsor on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “I’d like to thank passengers travelling between Dewsbury and Leeds over the last four weeks for their understanding and support, after train services were affected to allow us to complete these upgrades.

“The improvements are part of a wider programme that will enable greater capacity and improved accessibility at stations along the Transpennine route so that, ultimately, everybody can reap the benefits of quicker, more frequent, and greener trains across the North.”

Chris Nutton, major projects director at TransPennine Express, added: “The work done over these four weeks forms an integral part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will transform the journeys of our customers that travel between Huddersfield, Dewsbury, and Leeds.”

Another four-week period of rail upgrades will take place in Morley in the summer, with the TRU team planning work on weekdays and nights between Monday, June 24 and Friday, July 19.

Additional work is also taking place on weekends around this period between Marsden, Huddersfield and Heaton Lodge.