Upgrade work along the Leeds to York route will continue over the Christmas period and throughout January as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), aimed at delivering a faster, greener, and more reliable railway. Across the 32 days, signalling and telecommunications systems along the route will be replaced, with 54 new signals, supporting infrastructure, and a brand-new power supply installed, tested, and brought into use. The tracks in the Church Fenton area will also be remodelled, with platforms 3 and 4 re-aligned and a passing loop installed to allow fast trains to overtake slower trains. Across the route, 3 km of track will also be replaced and 8 switches and crossings installed, with work to install overhead electric line equipment continuing to prepare the route for future electric trains.

Lucy Grogan, TRU sponsor, said: “While there is never an ideal time to carry out essential improvement works such as these, and we appreciate that many people will be using the rail network to visit family and friends over the Christmas and New Year holiday, the time of year was specifically chosen as it is traditionally the quietest time of year for rail passengers. These upgrades form a vital part of our wider programme of work and will take us a step closer to improved rail travel across the North.”

Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said: “The work taking place over the Christmas period into January in the Church Fenton area is vital to delivering the benefits of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. Customers who travel from Church Fenton will see some changes to their station and platforms in the new year, while Network Rail will also be delivering signalling upgrades on the route into Leeds, which will bring our customers a faster and more reliable railway for years to come. Rail replacement buses will be in operation where we are unable to run services through Church Fenton, while Northern will also run an amended train service throughout the duration of the improvement works, with a number of phases of work being delivered from Saturday 27 December to Sunday 25 January. Understandably, our customers that normally travel on the routes between York, Selby and Leeds will be affected.”

The work will involve a total of 45 engineering trains, 879 rail wagons, three large cranes, and three tamping trains to enable the upgrades to be completed safely and efficiently. Passengers are advised to plan ahead, check schedules, and allow extra time for journeys during the upgrade period.

Thursday 25-Friday 26 December

No trains will run, in line with the annual Christmas shutdown of the UK rail network.

Saturday 27-Monday 29 December (11:30am)

No trains will run between Leeds-York/Selby, with rail replacement buses in operation.

No trains will run between Wakefield Kirkgate-York, as well as Selby-York.

Monday 29 December (11:30am)-Saturday 3 January

Trains will run between Leeds-Micklefield/Selby, serving local stations in between.

No trains will run between Leeds-York, and Wakefield Kirkgate-York, with rail replacement buses in operation.

Sunday 4 January-Sunday 25 January

Trains will run between Leeds and York, diverted via Castleford.

No trains will run between Micklefield-Church Fenton.

Image: Network Rail