Public consultation events are being in West Yorkshire, at which the local communities are being invited to comment on proposals for major rail upgrades in their area.

The upgrades are part of the major, multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will result in more frequent, faster, and greener trains between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.

The particular projects for which comments are invited are between Leeds and Micklefield. They include replacing three level crossings with safer alternatives and raising, reconstructing, or removing a number of bridges to enable the installation of overhead electric wires, which will lead to the use of electric trains that provide passengers with cleaner and more reliable journeys.

The public consultation events will allow residents to put questions to the project experts and view the plans, and will be held on:

• Friday, 28th October from 4pm to 7pm at Saint Benedict’s Catholic Church, Aberford Road, Garforth, LS25 1PX;
• Monday, 7th November from 4pm to 7pm at Micklefield C of E Primary School, Great North Road, Micklefield, LS25 4AQ;
• Wednesday, 9th November from 4pm to 7pm at The Newman Centre, Station Road, Cross Gates, LS15 7JY.

As well as the face-to-face events, the proposals can be viewed and commented on via an online consultation that is open until Friday, 18th November, and can be accessed at networkrail.co.uk/leeds-micklefield. Further information can also be obtained by emailing [email protected], or by calling Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

Feedback obtained through the public consultation will form part of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) that is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport next Summer. A TWAO is a legal power required for new railway infrastructure to be built outside of the existing operational railway boundary.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade will bring the following benefits:

• Up to six fast and two stopping services every hour between Leeds and Manchester.
• Faster journeys of 63-66 minutes between Manchester and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
• More reliable journeys with trains that run on-time.
• Improved and more accessible stations
• Greener travel, reducing the railway’s carbon footprint and improving air quality through saving up to 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, which supports the government’s Net Zero objectives.
• Moving more goods by rail with up to 15 more freight trains each day, which is expected to remove over 1,000 lorries off the road each day.

More information on the Transpennine Route Upgrade is available at www.thetrupgrade.co.uk

Alex Davies, Head of Consents & Environment for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “We’re really keen for communities along the route to get involved, find out all about our plans and share their thoughts. It will help us deliver a railway which not only offers better train journeys for passengers but also considers the impact on our lineside neighbours.

“The Transpennine Route Upgrade is an ambitious and exciting project, which will truly transform train journeys in the north of England. Making good progress on our plans between Leeds and Micklefield will take us one step closer to delivering a faster, electrified railway that’s fit for the future.”