RAIL passengers are being warned to expect 10 days of disruption on a key route through West Yorkshire.

Trains through Huddersfield station will be affected by engineering works from Friday, March, 29 to Sunday, April 7, with diversionary routes in use and rail replacement buses operating.

The work is part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: How the platforms at Huddersfield station could lookHow the platforms at Huddersfield station could look (Image: Network Rail)

These key upgrades in the latest phase of work include;

  • The start of roof canopy work at Huddersfield station
  • Mining remediation work in Ravensthorpe and Huddersfield
  • The installation of a new bridge deck on Huddersfield viaduct (over the A641 Bradford Road)
  • Track renewals in the Deighton and Mirfield area.

Huddersfield station’s status as a Grade I listed building means great care is being taken in preserving the rich heritage of the site.

The TRU team will prepare for the restoration of the iconic roof – one of the few remaining ‘Euston roof’ examples still on the railway today – so that the station gets a makeover without harming its cultural importance.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Another angle on Huddersfield station seen in this artist's impressionAnother angle on Huddersfield station seen in this artist's impression (Image: Network Rail)

This will be carried out alongside ongoing works on the station’s tearooms, which will be dismantled and rebuilt in an altered location using the same materials once other work has been completed.

The route upgrade has already seen new electrification equipment installed between Manchester Victoria, Stalybridge and Guide Bridge, which was tested recently.

Paul Sumner, Senior Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “Our teams will be working around the clock to deliver this vital series of upgrades.

"The revamp of Huddersfield station and the rail works in the surrounding areas form a pivotal part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

“I’d like to thank customers for their continued support and remind everyone that services changes will be in place, so to please check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Work taking place on the upgradeWork taking place on the upgrade (Image: Network Rail)

The ongoing works will mean a lot of engineering trains arriving in West Yorkshire in the coming months. Earlier this week, the Telegraph & Argus revealed how one rail company had been carrying out route learning workings for drivers ahead of upcoming ballast train work.

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: “These improvement works are key to the overall modernisation of the railway that will be taking place as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will help deliver a faster and more sustainable service for our customers who travel between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

“We’d like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while this work takes place. To keep customers on the move, there will be some changes to our services, including diversions on some routes and rail replacement buses on others, and we advise customers to check carefully before travelling. We’ll have extra staff on hand at stations to help customers who are travelling on days affected by this work.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An overhead view showing the roof at Huddersfield stationAn overhead view showing the roof at Huddersfield station (Image: Network Rail)

Due to the nature of the work being completed along the route, the change in services will differ throughout the ten-day period, with limited to no access to Huddersfield station on most days.

Amended timetables will be in operation, with some services being diverted between Manchester Victoria and Leeds, and some being replaced by buses. An extensive rail replacement operation will be in place out of Huddersfield station to keep passengers on the move.

There will be different timetables in place for the following dates:

• Good Friday 29 & Saturday 30 March

• Easter Sunday 31 March

• Easter Monday 1 April

• Tuesday 2 April until Friday 5 April

• Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 April