A railway that will be the pride of the North

The rail route between Manchester and York is one of the busiest in the North; however, it has faced challenges from congestion, delays and ageing infrastructure.

But game-changing work is underway to make train journeys faster, more frequent and greener, thanks to the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

This multi-billion-pound programme will enhance connectivity between towns and cities, including Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

TRU will modernise the 70-mile route from Manchester Victoria Station to York, creating a higher-performing railway that’s fit for the future.

Customers can look forward to TRU speeding up journeys between Manchester and York by up to 20% and creating around 30% more seats.

The scale of the project does mean planned disruption to services, but customers will be kept informed and, crucially, kept moving on trains as much as possible.

The works include electrification of the entire line and track upgrades, including some sections moving from two tracks to four to allow more trains to run and enable express services to overtake local stopping services.

Tunnels, bridges and other structures will be rebuilt or strengthened, and all of the 23 stations on the route will be revamped, with many becoming fully accessible with the addition of step-free access, lifts, improved lighting, and CCTV.

More than 40 miles of new railway line have already been laid, and over 25% of the route has been electrified, while new stations have been completed at Mirfield and Morley, with three more due in the next 12 months.

Once complete, the result will be faster, greener and more frequent trains – providing a legacy for generations to come.

● Improved services: Longer trains with more seats, and more frequent