Significant progress has been made on The Transpennine Route Upgrade project.

Over the last two weeks, engineers in Stalybridge have been working to deliver the biggest piece of work of the programme so far. This includes a full junction remodelling, which will allow trains to move between different lines at higher speeds, as well as important signalling upgrades and works for future electrification.

The work, which is set to be completed by 6 April 2023, will see over 2km of new track, 25 new signals, 54 new switches and crossing components (rail equipment which allows trains to move from one piece of track to another) and overhead line equipment installed. All this work will increase the reliability and speed of trains passing through the area.

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Passengers travelling across the Pennines should allow extra time and plan ahead using the National Rail Journey Planner or their train operator’s website. 

Hannah Lomas, Industry Programme Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: "It's fantastic to see the amount of progress that has been made over the last two weeks at Stalybridge. This package of work is the largest to date on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, so it’s a huge milestone for both the project and the programme as a whole.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank passengers for bearing with us while we complete these major upgrades. We do appreciate that there’s no ideal time to close the railway, but we hope that our work so far highlights just a small part of the long-term benefits that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is set to bring to rail travel.

"Diversionary routes and rail replacement buses will continue to keep passengers moving until the line re-opens on 6 April 2023, so in the meantime I’d encourage people to check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries or their train operator."