Festive track upgrades at Leeds station to boost reliability – passengers reminded to plan ahead

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Network Rail teams in Leeds are carrying out essential work to upgrade the track layout this Christmas to bring more reliable services for passengers. 

From the early hours of Saturday 25 December as most people are opening their presents, engineers will be onsite continuing with a major project to lift, replace and completely remodel the track between platforms 4 and 6. 

The improvements will bring more reliable services for passengers, allow more trains to run and reduce the impact of future unplanned disruption across the North.

In the latest stage of the upgrade, work will also take place to install new overhead wires – which power some trains – and make sure the equipment and platforms align with the new track. New signalling equipment will be installed and tested to make sure trains can continue running safely and reliably.

Network Rail has carefully planned the project, with major work taking place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day when there are no timetabled train services on this part of the railway.

There will be changes for passengers until Monday 3 January as work continues on this complex project. Very limited services will run on Sunday 2 January, when buses will replace trains and journeys will take longer. 

  • Monday 27 December 2021 – Saturday 1 January 2022: A reduced train service will run in and out of Leeds station. Some bus replacements will be in place.
  • Sunday 2 January 2022: Very limited train services will run to and from Leeds. Bus replacements will be in place for passengers.
  • Monday 3 January 2022: A reduced train service will then run with some bus replacements in place.

Passengers are advised to check their journey via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator and allow plenty of time.

The multi-storey car park will be closed to the public from Monday 20 December 2021 until Friday 7 January 2022. During this time, accessible parking spaces will still be available. People are advised to use alternative car parks in the area whilst this work is carried out.

Matt Rice, North and East Route Director for Network Rail, said: “Last Christmas was a non-event for many, and because of that I know lots of people will be eagerly looking forward to getting out and meeting friends and family this year.

“Our teams are looking forward to greeting those who are out and about this festive season, and while most of the railway will be open most of the time, it’s really important to check your journey times before setting off, particularly on 2 January, as the track upgrades at Leeds mean some routes will be by coach, or may take longer by train depending which days you’re travelling.”

Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “Leeds is a major hub that draws in passengers for work, shopping and its vibrant night life, and every journey through this station should be punctual and reliable. 

“The works taking place over the Christmas period are important in ensuring excellent services run in and out of Leeds, building on the work already taking place to boost transport across the North through the Integrated Rail Plan.”

A spokesperson for train operators at Leeds station, said: “We advise passengers who plan to travel over the Christmas period to check their journey in advance – with their train operator or via National Rail Enquiries – and allow plenty of time.

“These vital improvements at Leeds station will bring more reliable journeys for our passengers and help to reduce the impact of any disruption across the region.”

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, said: “It’s fantastic to see the investment going into Leeds station over the Christmas period to help deliver vital upgrades for a more reliable railway. Our services will be affected by these works, especially on Sunday 2 January, when rail replacement buses will be run between Huddersfield and Leeds and other services will be diverted.  Customers are advised to check before they travel, with all information on changes to services available on our website.”

Photo credit: Network Rail

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