Full Christmas travel disruption between Leeds and York with 32-days of rail upgrades
Passengers have been warned of rail disruption to services running between Leeds and York over the festive period.
Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) teams will take to the railway between Leeds and York over the Christmas period and throughout January to complete vital work, helping deliver faster, greener and more frequent services.
Across the 32-day period spanning from Christmas Day until Sunday, January 25, a total of 45 engineering trains, 879 rail wagons, three large cranes and three tamping trains will be deployed.
Adam Sellers, TRU Senior Sponsor, said: “Whilst we understand there is never an ideal time to carry out such essential work, this time of year has been specifically chosen as it is traditionally the quietest for rail passengers – we really appreciate the understanding of customers as we complete these major upgrades.
“The improvements will really take us a step closer to improved rail travel throughout the region and form a pivotal part of TRU plans across the wider route.”
Signalling and telecommunications upgrades will see a total of 70 new signals and accompanying infrastructure installed, tested and brought into use, helping create a more reliable and efficient railway. Before this takes place, eight level crossings will be closed, with most being replaced by safer alternative means for people to cross the line.
Tracks throughout the Church Fenton area will be remodelled, whilst platforms 3 and 4 at the station will be re-aligned and a new passing loop to enable direct services to overtake stopping ones will be installed. The overall line speed through this stretch of railway will be increased in the future as a result, meaning journey times will be reduced.
Chris Nutton, Major Projects & TRU Director at TransPennine Express, added: “The investment by the TRU programme has already led to real progress in the Church Fenton area, with the line between York and Church Fenton now fully electrified. More improvements will be made during the Christmas period and into the new year, which will lead to a better and more reliable railway.
“For the duration of these works, TransPennine Express services between Leeds, York, and Selby will be impacted, with the level of impact changing during these 32 days of vital upgrade works. Diversionary routes will be used to keep people on trains where possible and rail replacement buses will be in operation as well.”
3km of track will be renewed along with eight switches and crossings which enable trains to change from one line to another, whilst overhead line equipment (OLE) installation will also continue, ready to power greener, electrified services.
Customers are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of time at nationalrail.co.uk or their train operator’s website if travelling during this period.
Thursday, December 25 - Friday, December 26
- No trains will run, in line with the annual Christmas shutdown of the UK rail network.
Saturday, December 27 - Monday, December 29 (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, December 29 (11.30am) - Saturday, January 3
- 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, January 4 - Sunday, January 25
- Trains will run between Leeds and York, diverted via Castleford.
- No trains will run between Micklefield-Church Fenton, with rail replacement buses in operation.