Rail passengers can expect eight weeks of weekend delays between Mossley and Dewsbury as a major upgrade gets underway. Network Rail is urging travellers to plan ahead as work begins on Saturday, March 29, and will continue for eight consecutive weekends.
The upgrades are part of the multi-billion pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will bring improvements to customers travelling between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. Weekday services will largely run as normal, except for Monday, April 21, but all weekend trains through Huddersfield will be affected until May 18.
To minimise disruption, rail replacement buses and diversion routes will be in place. TransPennine Express' Chris Nutton, Major Projects and TRU Director, said: "The investment put into the stations and infrastructure between Stalybridge and Dewsbury will not only improve the railway of today, but will continue the vital journey of the Transpennine Route Upgrade that will bring greener, faster, and more reliable trains to rail customers in the North.
"During those eight weekends, there will be changes to the services on our North Route. Customers will be able to make journeys using the amended timetable, including train services over diversionary routes – connecting across the region – and rail replacement buses in some localised sections.
"We urge customers to check before they travel across the Pennines on these weekends. For those who are planning to travel, we'll have extra colleagues on hand at key stations to help get people to their destination."
Don't miss the latest news and analysis with our regular North West newsletters – sign up here for free
