Friday 27 Sep 2024
Huge turnout for Greater Manchester TRU public consultation as MP encourages more feedback
Stalybridge and Hyde MP and Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP, has urged his constituents to submit their views on the exciting plans for TRU rail upgrades between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth), through the ongoing online public consultation.
More than 300 people joined three public consultation events hosted by TRU in Stalybridge, Mossley and Greenfield last week. Across three days, the major rail upgrades planned for the area were presented, with staff on-hand to answer questions about the work.
TRU plans to relocate Mossley station, and upgrade Greenfield station. Both will see accessibility improvements for the first time in their history. The public consultation on TRU plans for the area will close on 25 October, the plans can be viewed and feedback submitted at www.networkrail.co.uk/stalybridgetodiggle.
Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde and Secretary of State for Business and Trade has reaffirmed his support for TRU and encouraged residents to provide their vital feedback by visiting the consultation website.
"The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a major programme that has been affecting this area for some time...It is incredibly important to upgrade the rail line; better service, new stock, major improvements in track."
"It's vitally important that as many constituents as possible take part in the consultation; find out about the plans, and give us your views."
TRU will also install overhead line equipment (OLE) on the historic Uppermill Viaduct, also known as Saddleworth Viaduct. The locations of the OLE masts have been considerately designed to avoid the most visible areas of the viaduct where possible.
There will be adjustments and reconstructions of various foot and road bridges, to allow overhead line equipment (OLE) to be installed, that will power faster, cleaner and quieter electric trains. Oldham Road Bridge will be reconstructed by TRU, to allow larger freight trains to pass through. A footbridge is to be constructed from Oldham Road to Shaw Hall Bank Road, adjacent to the existing Oldham Road Bridge. This will separate pedestrians from traffic and improve safety.
The TRU Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth) public consultation began on Monday 16 September. In-person events were held at Stalybridge St Peters RC Church (18 September), Saddleworth Rangers RLFC (19 September) and Mossley Methodist Church (20 September).
The public consultation now continues online, ending Friday 25 October. All the TRU Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth) public consultation information is available online and feedback can be submitted at the consultation website: www.networkrail.co.uk/stalybridgetodiggle.
Reflecting on the in-person consultation events, TRU Sponsor Mark Ashton said:
"More than 300 people joined us across TRU's Stalybridge, Greenfield and Mossley public consultation events last week, it was great to see this level of engagement and listen to the feedback on the scheme plans, which we will start to review."
"If you were unable to attend the in-person events you can still provide your feedback by visiting our virtual consultation room, accessed from www.networkrail.co.uk/stalybridgetodiggle. Consultation remains open online until Friday 25th October. Your feedback is important to us in developing our plans for Stalybridge to Diggle (Saddleworth)."
We are committed to taking residents, businesses and customers on this journey as we continue to transform rail in the North of England."
A tutorial video had been created by TRU to guide residents through using the virtual consultation room.
Following the consultation process, TRU will consider all the feedback received from the local community and other stakeholders. A Transport and Works Act Order application will then be submitted to the Secretary of State in Summer 2025.
Notes to Editors
TRU is a major, multi-billion-pound rail industry partnership that will transform journeys across the North, better-connecting towns and cities through more frequent, faster, greener trains between Manchester, Leeds and York, running on a better, cleaner and more reliable railway.
TRU is proposing major upgrades across the section of the route between Stalybridge and Diggle (Saddleworth), including improved, more accessible stations at Mossley and Greenfield, full electrification of the line and various bridge works to allow the installation of overhead line equipment (OLE) to power faster, cleaner and more reliable trains.
TRU will bring passengers:
- More trains to choose from and more seats. Our improvements will enable more trains to run between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York with up to six fast services every hour between Leeds and Manchester and up to two stopping services for local connectivity.
- Faster journeys so you can travel to your favourite towns and cities more quickly. Our fastest journey times are forecast to be 63-66 minutes between Manchester and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
- More reliable journeys with trains that run on-time
- Better stations across the Transpennine route, bringing passengers a better travel experience through improved, more accessible stations
- Greener travel, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality. Our plans aim to save up to 87,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – supporting the government’s Net Zero objectives. We’re also developing a proposal to move more goods by rail (up to 15 more freight trains each day.)
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