Yesterday (Thursday 8 June), Dewsbury station in West Yorkshire celebrated its 175th anniversary with cake and a choir.

TransPennine Express (TPE) joined forces with Network Rail and Friends of Dewsbury Station to welcome residents, passengers and the Dewsbury Community Choir to celebrate the station’s past, present, and future.

The historic station is Grade II listed, and has seen many changes since opening in 1848, a year famous for revolutionary upsurges across Europe and beyond.

It will now play an important role in the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which will electrify and improve the railway across the north of England. To accommodate the Upgrade, Dewsbury station will be improved in several ways:

• longer platforms to allow for longer trains with increased capacity
• larger canopy cover to provide more shelter while waiting for trains
• an extra waiting shelter on platform 2 which will be accessible for double-width buggies and wheelchairs
• new lighting and CCTV to increase passenger safety
• easier navigation around the station, including braille, contrasting colours and more signage with pictures.

Daniel Fox, Community Manager for TransPennine Express, said: “Dewsbury station has been at the heart of the town’s community for the past 175 years and has paid a key role in connecting Dewsbury to Huddersfield, Leeds, Manchester, York, and beyond.

“It was fantastic to celebrate such a major anniversary alongside rail industry colleagues and look ahead at the exciting investment coming through the Transpennine Route Upgrade.”Sarah Thompson, Network Rail Sponsor for Transpennine Route Upgrade said: “We had a wonderful time celebrating the station’s rich history with industry partners whilst also looking ahead at the exciting future.

“I’d like to thank the community for their ongoing support as we move closer to delivering this once-in-a-generation scheme.”

Councillor Eric Firth, cabinet member for transport and Dewsbury ward councillor on Kirklees Council, said: “This year marks a signification milestone for Dewsbury Station, and I’m pleased to join in the celebrations.

“Rail travel will play a crucial role in the sustainability revolution and Dewsbury Station will be a significant contributor to this movement with the investment and electrification that TRU will bring.

“I’d like to take this moment to thank Friends of Dewsbury Station, TransPennine Express, and Network Rail for their dedication to maintaining the station’s cleanliness and creating a welcoming environment for all who use it.”