BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) is seeking a Transport and Works Act Order from the government to permit the rebuilding of the 13km Huddersfield - Westtown, Dewsbury, section of the Huddersfield - Leeds Transpennine line.
The application for the order, which is part of the planned Transpennine Route Upgrade, a programme of works designed to transform journeys between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and Leeds, follows extensive public consultation in recent months with two rounds of public and stakeholder consultations undertaken since 2019.
The planned work includes:
- installing an additional two tracks alongside the existing two
- electrification of the route at 25kV ac, allowing bi-mode trains to operate under electric traction on the section, which will be isolated from other electrification. However, planning for further electrification of the Manchester - Huddersfield - Leeds - York corridor is under way as part of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade.
- construction of a grade separated junction in Ravensthorpe, west of Dewsbury, to separate the Dewsbury-Leeds route from the line to Wakefield to reduce congestion and improve reliability, and
- major upgrades to stations at Huddersfield, Deighton and Mirfield plus construction of a relocated station at Ravensthorpe.
The application for the Transport and Works Act Order has been formally submitted, although a decision is not expected to be made until early 2023. Assuming approval is granted work will begin on site in 2023.
