TRU thanks customers after five weeks of vital upgrade work

On Friday (22 November), TRU completed a series of rail upgrades between Dewsbury and Leeds. Spanning five weeks – excluding weekends – engineers worked around the clock, whilst colleagues from TPE and Northern kept customers on the move via diversionary routes and rail replacement services. 

The work, part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, brings the programme a step closer to transforming journeys across the North of England. 

The upgrades included the installation of 101 electrification masts, 107 OLE mast foundations, 3128m of new track and the removal of 900m of redundant cable. 

Jonathan Hepton, Project Sponsor at Network Rail said: 

“I’d like to thank customers travelling between Dewsbury and Leeds over the last five weeks for their patience and understanding as we delivered these essential upgrades. 

“This series of improvements across this part of West Yorkshire will enable faster, more reliable services to better connect towns and cities on the Transpennine route.” 

Collaboration between Network Rail, TransPennine Express and Northern saw diversionary routes and rail replacement services utilised to keep passengers on the move. 

Chris Nutton, Major Projects & TRU Director at TransPennine Express said: 

“The work that’s been done over the last five weeks is vital to the delivery of TRU and will bring real benefits to our customers. The overhead line electrification being installed will be an essential part of bringing greener and faster journeys to our customers whilst the new track will improve reliability and future-proof the line.” 

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience whilst these major upgrade works took place. We’d also like to thank our colleagues on the ground for their tireless efforts and for pulling together to help our customers throughout these five weeks.”