Major train disruption expected for eight weeks

Transpennine Route Upgrade work at Mirfield station. Image courtesy of Network Rail

Train delays are expected between Mossley and Dewsbury for eight weeks due to upgrade work.

Network Rail has warned commuters to check before they travel as a series of upgrades will be completed across eight consecutive weekends, starting on Saturday, March 29.

The work forms part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a multi-billion-pound railway programme that will unlock a range of benefits for customers travelling between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Track renewal work will also be completed over Saddleworth viaduct in Oldham.

All trains that run through Huddersfield will be impacted each weekend from March 29 to May 18.

Weekday services will run as normal, except for Monday, April 21, when TRU engineers complete work at Mirfield station. 

Passengers will be kept on the move via diversion routes and rail replacement buses.

Chris Nutton, Major Projects and TRU Director at TransPennine Express, 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.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.