Engineers complete railway works in Mirfield and beyond

A number of Christmas and New Year projects have successfully been concluded, as part of the the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

These focused on the routes between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.

The track through Mirfield was replaced and upgraded, while platform 2 at the station there has been decommissioned.

Track work near Mirfield (Image: Network Rail)

Track work near Mirfield (Image: Network Rail)

Other works over the festive period include: installing a new under-track crossing at Huddersfield Railway Station; replacing the track points just outside of York, allowing trains to move between different railway lines; complete bridge upgrades at Barkston Ash.

Track work near Mirfield (Image: Network Rail)

General improvements have also been ongoing over Christmas as well.

Extensive piling and electrification work was completed across various sections of the route, alongside signalling and telecommunication equipment testing.

The Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, which relieves historic bottlenecks between Manchester and Sheffield, also witnessed substantial upgrades, notably the replacement of a bridge just north of Dore & Totley Station. 

Work at Huddersfield Railway Station (Image: Network Rail)

Neil Holm, Managing Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “Some fantastic work has taken place over the festive period in very tough weather conditions.

"I’m really proud of everyone who played their part to get the jobs over the line.

"These achievements allow us to continue with a number of major upgrades this year, continuing TRU's progress and bringing us closer to fast, greener and more reliable electric trains running between Manchester and York”. 

The TRU is a major programme of railway improvements which will bring better journeys to passengers travelling across the Pennines between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.