Network Rail has completed a series of improvement works for the Transpennine Route Upgrade project between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
Work was completed over the Christmas and New Year period near Manchester Victoria and near Neville Hill depot in Leeds to prepare the 70-mile route for full electrification.
Upgrades to the track through Leeds, Batley, Morley and Wakefield Kirkgate were also carried out, including the installation of a new track crossing into Holbeck depot to support more trains.
Meanwhile, the improvements in Wakefield Kirkgate will enable the line to be used as a key diversionary route when additional work takes place on the Transpennine route.
During the festive period, Network Rail also continued investigative work for the railway tunnels and bridges between Huddersfield and Dewsbury, where twice as many tracks will be installed in the future to facilitate faster, more frequent trains.
“The multi-million-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade will completely revolutionise rail travel between regional hubs such as Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York and it is great to see all this work delivered successfully over the festive period.
“We are constantly investing in schemes which will bring a better and more reliable railway, and this package of upgrades complements hundreds of other projects delivered across the country.
“I’d like to thank both our passengers and communities across the route for their patience as we take one step closer to a faster, cleaner, greener and more reliable railway for passengers across the north.”
Between Christmas Eve and Monday 2 January, engineers also renovated nearly three kilometres of track at York station.
Furthermore, they renewed nine sets of points and upgraded some key signalling equipment based at the station.
This 6 million GBP upgrade will help reduce delays and improve the track’s resilience.
To prepare the route for incoming cold weather, Network Rail also improved its track heaters in York to ensure they will efficiently melt snow and ice.
