New rail link for Castleford launched as improved station is unveiled

A new rail service linking Castleford with York and Manchester has been launched today (Monday 11 December 2023) at an event which saw the official opening of the station’s new fully-accessible second platform. 

The new service, operated by TransPennine Express with four return journeys a day, will benefit the town by providing fast, exciting and valuable new travel opportunities, including a regular direct link to York for the first time since the 1970s. 

It has been made possible by the Transpennine Route Upgrade, a multi-billion pound major improvement scheme to deliver more frequent, faster trains between York, Leeds and Manchester on a cleaner, greener and more reliable railway. 

The opening of the second platform, served by an accessible footbridge with stairs and lifts linking it to the recently enhanced station building and facilities, marks the completion of the first major station improvement scheme to be delivered by the Transpennine Route Upgrade and represents a major investment at the station, which is managed by Northern. 

The improvements to the station, tracks and signalling system has increased capacity, which will boost the reliability of existing services and allows more trains to run through Castleford. This also enables the use of the Castleford line to divert trains and keep passengers moving during major upgrades on the main line between York and Leeds. 

Hannah Lomas, Industry Programme Director for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: 

“The opening of the new platform and completion of the upgrade to the line through Castleford heralds a major moment in our efforts to transform travel across the North. 

“It revitalises rail for those travelling to, through or from the town and also means that going forward we’ll be able to keep passengers moving on trains by diverting them via Castleford while we deliver future elements the major Transpennine Route Upgrade. 

“I’m proud of how hard our teams have worked in close conjunction with our partners to deliver a fully-accessible, better-served station for the people of the town. 

“I’d also like to thank the local community for their patience while these improvements have been taking place and hope they experience the benefits that this upgrade will bring for years to come.” 

Chris Jackson, Managing Director for TransPennine Express, said: 

"We are delighted to announce the first direct train between Castleford and York in more than 50 years. This service, introduced in our December timetable change, will boost connectivity across West Yorkshire. 

"This significant milestone is a direct benefit of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, and our collaboration with Network Rail, Northern, and other industry partners. 

"Over the coming years, our customers will start to experience more of the benefits of these upgrades, as we work together with our colleagues across the industry to transform the railways in the North. For TPE specifically, this infrastructure enables a key diversionary route, allowing us to keep customers on the move throughout engineering works and other disruption.” 

Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern, said: 

“This new platform is a significant investment for the community, and it is the final piece of the puzzle in the transformation of Castleford’s station. With the station and new platform now being fully accessible, we’ll have better resilience and more reliable trains whilst the railway is being upgraded for the future.”  

Yvette Cooper MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, said: 

“The new platform and the trains from Castleford to York and Manchester are a huge step forward, following years of local campaigning for better train services for the Five Towns. This is a great opportunity to link us better with cities across the north. But we need to build on it with better and more reliable connections across the Five Towns.” 

Castleford station is also receiving £720,000 of station improvements as part of Transpennine Route Upgrades ‘First & Last Mile’ programme. The funding will improve access to the station, provide public artwork and the installation of CCTV.