Media centre

Tuesday 20 Oct 2026

Public given another chance to shape rail upgrades between Standedge and Gledholt (Huddersfield)

Region & Route:

Eastern

Communities in and around Huddersfield are being given a further opportunity to have their say on the next phase of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), as updated plans are unveiled for significant improvements between Standedge and Gledholt. 

The proposals form part of the multi-billion-pound programme to modernise the railway between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, delivering faster, more frequent and greener trains on a better, cleaner and more reliable railway. 

Between Standedge and Gledholt (Huddersfield), Network Rail is proposing a series of upgrades to support electrification and increased capacity on the route, bringing a range of benefits for customers travelling across the Pennines and the wider North of England. 

Improvements at Marsden and Slaithwaite stations will give customers a better travel experience, while the reconstruction of bridges and highways, and the installation of new track and signalling, will help trains run more smoothly and on time. 

Overhead line equipment (OLE) will also be installed, powering greener electric trains through the area. A number of temporary construction compounds are being proposed to support safe and efficient delivery of the works. 

People are now being encouraged to view the updated plans and provide feedback as part of this further consultation period, running from Tuesday 3 November until Wednesday 2 December 2026. 

This follows an initial round of consultation held between February and April 2026, which generated a high volume of feedback from local communities and other stakeholders. 

We have listened carefully to these comments and, where possible, have adapted our proposals in response. This final round of consultation shares all the updated plans for information. We are specifically seeking feedback on the areas where changes have been made, as well as new design proposals, giving residents, businesses and other stakeholders a further opportunity to share their views before the proposals are finalised. 

The updated proposals can be viewed online from Tuesday 3 November via a dedicated virtual consultation room at: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/standedge-to-gledholt-scheme 

In addition, members of the project team will be available at the following in-person events: 

• Tuesday 10 November 2026, 3:30pm – 6:30pm at Slaithwaite Community Centre, Bank Gate, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5DL 

• Wednesday 11 November 2026, 3:30pm – 6:30pm at Marsden Mechanics, Peel Street, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6BW 

These events will provide an opportunity for the local community to view the proposals in more detail, speak directly with the project team and ask any questions about the plans. 

A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) is required to deliver elements of the proposed scheme. This is a piece of legislation approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, granting permission to carry out the work.  

Following the close of the consultation, all feedback will be carefully considered and where appropriate, used to help refine the proposals before Network Rail submits its TWAO application to the Secretary of State in Spring 2027.  

The works included in this consultation represent part of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade, which continues to progress across the 70-mile route between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and Leeds. 

For more information about the programme, visit https://thetrupgrade.co.uk, contact Network Rail’s 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41, or visit www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus.