Train services between Huddersfield and Leeds will be subject to disruption at the end of January and in early February so that work can continue on building a replacement station at Morley.

On Saturday, 28th and Sunday, 29th January, and from Saturday, 4th to Sunday, 12th February,  some trains between Huddersfield and Leeds will be replaced by buses or diverted over other routes.

The disruption is because of a multi-million-pound investment to move and upgrade Morley station when Network Rail engineers will lay the foundations for new, longer platforms, realign the track to support faster trains through the area, and complete important drainage work.

Passengers intending to travel when services are disrupted should allow extra time and plan their journey in advance using the National Rail website at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or their train operator’s website.

Morley station is being relocated approximately 75m away from its current position to allow for longer platforms as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. A new footbridge with lifts will also be installed to make the station fully accessible. The upgrades will allow faster, more frequent, and greener trains with more seats for passengers travelling between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.

Once it has been completed, the Transpennine Route Upgrade will provide a fully electrified railway between Manchester and York, with improved stations along the route and a number of bridges and level crossings upgraded. This will result in faster and more frequent trains running along a cleaner, greener, and more reliable railway.

Hannah Lomas, Principal Programme Sponsor for Transpennine Route Upgrade said: “This work is a key milestone for the Transpennine Route Upgrade and I’m looking forward to seeing the long-term benefits it will offer passengers travelling between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.

“Although no trains will run through the area while the work takes place, we have worked closely with our train operating colleagues to keep passengers moving, with diversions and rail replacement services in place.”

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express said: “As major upgrade work takes place for Morley station in February, as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, there will be some service alterations for TransPennine Express services.

“Customers are advised to allow for additional time to travel and to check carefully for the latest service alterations before they travel on our website www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/changes-to-train-times; updates will also be available on our social media channels. In addition, extra support will be available for customers from Customer Delivery Managers who will be on hand to assist customers with their journeys.”

Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern said: “We’d like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Morley station is closed for this work. During this closure, the foundations are quite literally being laid to enable us to bring better train services and improved accessibility for everybody using the station.

“We’re working hard to keep everybody moving whilst the station is closed, with plenty of colleagues on hand to help throughout. Our advice to our customers is to check before they travel.”