Major engineering works are set to commence over the next two weekends as improvements are brought to the power supply between Leeds and Neville Hill, as well as track upgrades at Church Fenton.

These developments are part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade which has already brought newly reinforced railway line through Castleford, and it’ll be that same line that means passengers can continue moving by train whilst improvements are carried out between Leeds and Neville Hill.

Over the course of the two weekends, teams will install 3 kilometres of high voltage cables alongside the railway between Leeds and Neville Hill, which will provide the power for the future electrification of the Transpennine Route east of Leeds planned for later this decade.


Meanwhile, Church Fenton engineers will completely renew a 1.5 kilometre stretch of railway, including the ballast stones and sleepers the tracks sit on.

These improvements will enable faster, quieter, greener and more frequent trains on this key line, linking the cities of York, Leeds and Manchester more efficiently than ever.

Passengers can keep their plans on track whilst these upgrades are implemented – trains between Leeds and York, as well as Leeds and Hull can continue to run via the Castleford route whilst the main line is closed.

Adam Sellers of Network Rail, said: "These upgrades between Leeds and York are a significant step forward for the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme, bringing us one stage closer to faster, greener and more reliable journeys across the North of England.

"We have worked closely with train operators on the route, Northern and TransPennine Express, to make sure that there is a robust plan in place to keep passengers on the move with diversions and rail replacement services in place."