The major 30-day closure of Huddersfield station has reached its halfway stage, with progress on transformative works being marked by a visit from Rugby League side Huddersfield Giants.

Players Jack Billington and Connor Carr joined the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) team alongside former Giants player and current Commercial Manager, Brian Blacker, who handed over a signed ball to recognise the scale of works already completed.

Brian Blacker said: "It was fantastic to see first-hand the strides being taken in what they’re delivering in our town. Rugby League fans will be able to rely on better services, and we're delighted to have presented their hard-working teams with a signed ball."

Engineers have been working around the clock since the start of September to deliver improvements that will ultimately allow for faster journeys, more trains and increased passenger capacity.

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So far, significant progress has been made, including:

• Installation of two new bridge decks on John William Street bridge as part of strengthening works to the Huddersfield viaduct.

• Demolition of platforms 1 and 2 inside the station ahead of lengthening works to accommodate longer trains with more seats.

• Excavation of more than 13,000 tonnes of soil.

• Installation of 1.7km of new rail, 2,517 sleepers, and over 6,200 tonnes of ballast and stone.

• Completion of 3.9km of tamping to improve track stability.

Paul Sumner, TRU senior sponsor, said: "We've made great progress in the first half of the 30-day closure, with major works that have been in planning for a while now coming to life. These activities take us a step closer to Huddersfield station serving as a vital hub for a new era of rail travel across the Pennines, which is a major boost for the economy locally and regionally.

"A big thanks to our local businesses, residents and customers as we undertake these vital upgrades, and it has been great to have the support from our neighbours Huddersfield Giants."

While the closure is ongoing, passengers are being kept on the move through a combination of diversionary routes and rail replacement bus services, with Brighouse temporarily acting as a rail-bus interchange. TRU has also invested £100m in diversionary routes to strengthen resilience for future closures.