Rail passengers are being urged by Network Rail to check before travelling this Early May Bank Holiday as work takes place in West Yorkshire which will mean changes to trains.

On Sunday, 10th May, engineers will carry out work to replace the track between Wakefield Westgate and Leeds.

The aim of this work to create a more reliable railway, which is essential for passengers who can not work from home.

This upgrade also means that food and medical supplies can be transported to supermarkets and hospitals.

For the work to be carried out, the line between Wakefield Westgate and Leeds via Outwood will be closed on Sunday 10th May 2020.

As a result of the work, there will be the following changes to trains:

• No trains will be allowed to stop at Wakefield Westgate.
• To keep passengers moving, diversionary routes will be in operation.
• Rail replacement buses will operate between Leeds and Doncaster, Knottingley and Moorthorpe and also between Sheffield, Leeds and Doncaster and Wakefield Westgate.

Additionally, there will be the following changes to trains on Monday 10th May:

• CrossCountry services will be diverted.
  • Rail replacement bus services will be in operation between Sheffield and Wakefield Westgate and between Wakefield Westgate and Leeds.
• East Midlands Railway trains between Leeds and London St Pancras will be diverted after Sheffield.
  • Passengers should use different train services if travelling to or from Wakefield Westgate.
• A reduced LNER service will run to and from Leeds, with trains running on a diverted route between Leeds and Doncaster.
  • A replacement bus service will operate between Doncaster and Wakefield Westgate.
• Buses will replace Northern trains between Doncaster/Knottingley/Moorthorpe and Leeds.

What did the officials say?

Matt Rice, Route Director for North and East for Network Rail, said:

“Passengers should only travel over the Bank Holiday weekend if they have to, and we advise them to check their individual journey via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator.

“This work to improve the track between Wakefield Westgate and Leeds is vital to allow a safe and reliable railway to operate, so that people who must travel by rail are able to do so, and so vital supplies can continue to be transported across the country.

“We will continue to follow social distancing guidelines from Public Health England whilst this work is carried out and would like to thank people for following the Government’s advice.”

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators in Yorkshire said:

“The track improvement work being carried out by Network Rail is important, so essential services can continue during these challenging times. It will also benefit passengers in future, bringing a more reliable railway.

“We are urging passengers to continue following the Government advice to only travel when they have to. If you cannot work from home and have to use train services, please check your journey via National Rail Enquiries or with your train operator.”

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