Monday 16 Sep 2024
More images released as public consultation opens on TRU Stalybridge to Saddleworth plans
More images have been released showing the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) changes coming to the railway and stations between Stalybridge tunnel and Diggle (Saddleworth).
The public consultation on this area of the route is now open and will close on 25 October 2024. A virtual consultation room and feedback form is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/stalybridgetodiggle.
Further images show the relocated Mossley station, and the upgraded Greenfield station. Both will see accessibility improvements for the first time in their history.
Images have also been released of how overhead line equipment (OLE) will be sensitively installed 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.
Oldham Road Bridge will be reconstructed by TRU, to facilitate the installation of OLE and to allow larger freight trains to pass through. New images show 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.
Alongside the online public consultation, there will be three in-person drop-in events to view the plans and speak with TRU staff:
18 September 2024 3pm-8pm St Peters RC Church, 119 Brierley Street, Stalybridge SK15 2E
19 September 2024 3pm-8pm Saddleworth Rangers RLFC, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Greenfield OL3 7LD
20 September 2024 3pm-8pm Mossley Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Mossley OL5 0EX
Mark Ashton, TRU Sponsor said:
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade wants to take the public with us on this transformational journey for rail in the North of England. Our proposals from Stalybridge to Diggle will bring substantial benefits to rail passengers and businesses in this area.
“It is vital that we hear the opinions of the public through our consultation, in order to develop our plans and designs, as we move towards delivering the scheme in the coming years.”
Craig Harrop, Regional Director for Northern, said:
"Our stations at Mossley and Greenfield will be transformed by the Transpennine Route Upgrade over the coming years, becoming fully accessible for the first time in their histories amongst a whole range of other customer-focussed improvements.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for our communities to share their views on what they want to see at these stations, and I'm really excited to hear their ideas as we move forwards into the next phase of design work."
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 has created a video explaining how the virtual consultation room functions:
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 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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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
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