Network Rail is carrying out essential upgrade works on the route between Leeds and York over the Christmas and New Year period as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

The improvements are focused on signalling, track and power infrastructure to deliver a faster, more reliable and greener railway.

The works will involve replacing signalling and telecommunications systems, installing 54 new signals and supporting infrastructure, and bringing a new power supply into service. In the Church Fenton area, tracks will be remodelled, platforms 3 and 4 re-aligned, and a passing loop installed to allow faster trains to overtake slower services. A total of 3km of track will be replaced, eight switches and crossings installed, and overhead electric line equipment continued, preparing the route for future electric trains.

Construction will utilise 45 engineering trains, 879 rail wagons, three large cranes, and three tamping trains to complete the work.

During the upgrade, rail services will be affected as follows:

• 25–26 December: No trains operate, in line with the annual Christmas shutdown.

• 27–29 December (11:30am): No services between Leeds and York/Selby, with rail replacement buses in operation. No trains run between Wakefield Kirkgate and York, or Selby and York.

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• 29 December (11:30am)–3 January: Trains run between Leeds and Micklefield/Selby, serving local stations. No trains operate between Leeds and York or Wakefield Kirkgate and York; replacement buses will run.

• 4–25 January: Trains run between Leeds and York diverted via Castleford. No trains between Micklefield and Church Fenton.

Lucy Grogan, TRU sponsor, explained that these works are a vital part of the wider programme to improve rail travel across the North: "While there is never an ideal time to carry out essential improvement works such as these, and we appreciate that many people will be using the rail network to visit family and friends over the Christmas and New Year holiday, the time of year was specifically chosen as it is traditionally the quietest time of year for rail passengers.

"These upgrades form a vital part of our wider programme of work and will take us a step closer to improved rail travel across the North."

Meanwhile, Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, highlighted the changes at Church Fenton and the signalling upgrades into Leeds, which will provide faster and more reliable services for years to come.

Mr Allwright said: "Customers who travel from Church Fenton will see some changes to their station and platforms in the new year, while Network Rail will also be delivering signalling upgrades on the route into Leeds, which will bring our customers a faster and more reliable railway for years to come.

"Rail replacement buses will be in operation where we are unable to run services through Church Fenton, while Northern will also run an amended train service throughout the duration of the improvement works, with a number of phases of work being delivered from Saturday 27 December to Sunday 25 January.

"Understandably, our customers that normally travel on the routes between York, Selby and Leeds will be affected. We recommend that those travelling check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk."