The Transpennine Route Upgrade has had a Transport and Works Act Order approved, granting permission for a number of upgrades to take place.

The upgrades will take place between Leeds and Micklefield and will see the removal/rebuild of a number of bridges to allow for electrification, replacement of five level crossings and the installation of small-scale infrastructure.

Work compounds can also be built now that the TWAO has been approved.

As part of the work, Barrowby Lane and Barrowby Foot level crossings will be replaced with an accessible bridleway footbridge that will horses and people to safely cross the railway line.

The earliest example of a cast iron bridge over the railway in the world, the Grade II listed Crawshaw Woods bridge, will be raised to allow for electrification.

“This is a huge success for TRU, bringing us a step closer to delivering faster, more frequent trains on a more reliable railway.

“The recent approval of this Transport and Works Act Order will enable us to complete major upgrades between Leeds and Micklefield, which will unlock a range of benefits for customers travelling across this stretch of railway and beyond.

“We would like to thank our rail industry partners for their support in getting this TWAO approval, and look forward to continuing to work with them on the next stages of work in this area.”

Adam Sellers, Senior Sponsor on TRU