TfN welcomes progress on TransPennine Route Upgrade | National …

The TfN has hailed progress on the TransPennine Route Upgrade

Transport for the North (TfN) has welcomed progress made on the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme and its role in driving “inclusive and sustainable transformational economic growth”.

TRU is a multibillion-pound programme of railway upgrades on the 70-mile route between Manchester and York aimed at improving connections between the region’s towns and cities through a more frequent and reliable railway.

Freight services would also improve under the TRU programme, with up to 15 more freight trains per day able to use the upgraded route, which is expected to remove more than 1,000 lorries from the road each day.

The project was discussed at a meeting of TfN’s board in Manchester yesterday (22 June 2023).

Key elements of work already underway include a new station with longer platforms due to open later this year at Morley; the installation of overhead electric cables between Church Fenton and Colton Junction near York; track upgrades through Leeds; and a full junction remodelling at Stalybridge allowing trains to move between different lines at higher speeds, plus signalling upgrades and works for future electrification.

Lord McLoughlin, chair of Transport for the North, said: “It is heartening to see Government continue to move forward with investment in the TransPennine Route Upgrade and to retain its commitment to the initial stages of the Northern Powerhouse Rail through funding of the Integrated Rail Plan. Our focus as a board is on a rail service that is reliable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable and we will continue to bring forward credible and affordable long-term proposals for transforming the North’s transport network.

“We are pleased with the programme’s progress which demonstrates how speaking with one voice on key transport investment decisions for the region is necessary, if we are to drive inclusive and sustainable transformational economic growth and rebalance the UK economy.

“We still believe that the TRU should be wholly electrified and be fully gauge cleared for W10/W12 to support the growth in freight movements from our Northern ports, so supporting the North to reach its true economical potential.

“Transport for the North has established a clear role working alongside Government, our member bodies and the wider transport sector, to deliver improved outcomes, such as those outlined in the TRU, for our residents and businesses.”

TfN’s board also showed their support for the dualling of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine, and highlighted the need to dual the full route from A1 – M6.