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Tuesday 10 Jan 2023

Nine days of major upgrades in Morley – passengers should plan ahead

Region & Route:

Eastern

As a multi-million-pound investment continues to transform Morley station, passengers are being urged to plan ahead this January and February.

Over nine days, Network Rail will lay the foundations for new, longer platforms, realign the track to support faster trains through the area and complete important drainage work.

It means that over the last weekend in January (28 and 29) and from 4 to 12 February 2023, buses will replace some trains between Huddersfield and Leeds and rail diversions will be in place.

Passengers should plan their journey using National Rail or their train operator’s website and allow extra time.

As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, Morley station will be relocated approximately 75m away from its current position to allow for longer platforms. These will provide space for faster, more frequent and greener trains with more seats available for passengers travelling between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. A new footbridge with lifts will also make the station fully accessible for everybody.

Hannah Lomas, Principal Programme Sponsor for Transpennine Route Upgrade said: “This work is a key milestone for the Transpennine Route Upgrade and I’m looking forward to seeing the long term benefits it will offer passengers travelling between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

"Although no trains will run through the area while the work takes place, we have worked closely with our train operating colleagues to keep passengers moving, with diversions and rail replacement services in place.”

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is set to revolutionise rail across the north of England by delivering a fully electrified railway between Manchester and York, improving stations along the route and upgrading a number of bridges and level crossings.

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express said: “As major upgrade work takes place for Morley station in February, as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, there will some service alterations for TransPennine Express services. Customers are advised to allow for additional time to travel and to check carefully for the latest service alterations before they travel on our website  www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/changes-to-train-times; updates will also be available on our social media channels. In addition, extra support will be available for customers from Customer Delivery Managers who will be on hand to assist customers with their journeys.”

Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern said: “We’d like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Morley station is closed for this work. During this closure, the foundations are quite literally being laid to enable us to bring better train services and improved accessibility for everybody using the station. We’re working hard to keep everybody moving whilst the station is closed, with plenty of colleagues on hand to help throughout. Our advice to our customers is to check before they travel.”

When complete, passengers will be able to enjoy faster, more frequent trains running along a cleaner, greener, more reliable railway.

ENDS