As people settle down to commence their New Year festivities, engineers working on Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) will start work at Mirfield station.
The upgrades, which are part of a major, multi-billion-pound programme of railway improvements between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, will involve 663 metres of new track being installed, signal testing and work to the station platforms and Station Road footbridge.
Passengers travelling between Huddersfield and Leeds on Saturday 30 January through to Monday 1 January are being asked to check before they travel via National Rail Enquiries as some trains will be diverted and others will be replaced by buses.
While the upgrades take place, Station Road will be closed from Lowlands Road to Back Station Road. Diversions and signage will be in place.
The work at Mirfield station will bring passengers a number of benefits in the future, which include longer platforms that will enable longer trains with more seats to call at the station, additional waiting shelters and step-free access via lifts and a new footbridge.
This work is part of our wider programme spanning from Manchester to York, that will bring faster, greener and more reliable trains for passengers along the Transpennine route.
Gareth Hope, Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “These upgrades are a vital part of our wider programme of work, and I’d like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding while they take place.
“We understand how important the festive period is for people seeing family and friends, so we have worked closely with our train operating colleagues to keep people on the move.
“I’d encourage anyone travelling by train to plan their journey ahead of time and check National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”
Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director at TransPennine Express, said: “The engineering works at Mirfield station during the New Year period are vital to delivering a railway fit for the 21st century across the North of England. These upgrades will lead to real benefits for our customers who travel between some of the biggest cities in the North.
“While this work takes place during the New Year period, there will be changes to TransPennine Express services, and we would urge our customers to check our website before they travel:Â www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/changes-to-train-times.”
Image credit: Network Rail
