Monday 27 Oct 2025
Ravensthorpe station to be closed as new station is constructed
- Region & Route:
- Eastern
From Sunday 14 December until summer 2028, Ravensthorpe station will close as the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) build a new, modernised station 200m west of the current site.
Rail replacement bus services between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury stations will be in operation throughout the closure to keep customers on the move.
The newly-built Ravensthorpe station will have step free-access and a footbridge with lifts, and a new forecourt area with improved drop-off facilities. The construction of a longer island platform will accommodate longer trains with more seats for passengers.
This is part of TRU’s wider work in the area, which will see a new four-track railway installed through the footprint of both the existing station site and new location. This sequencing means the new station cannot be built until the tracks are laid, including the construction of the new Baker Viaduct – both of which will enable faster trains to overtake slower ones, reducing journey times across the North. Overhead line equipment (OLE) that will power electric trains will also be installed.
Work is well underway in the area, known as Ravensthorpe triangle, and is currently one of the biggest civil-engineering sites in the country. Notable work so far includes the installation of concrete beams to form the new Calder Road bridge, the installation of piers for the new Baker Viaduct, and utility diversions on Thornhill Road as part of road and track realignment work.
Andrew Campbell, TRU sponsor, said:
“The closure of Ravensthorpe station marks the beginning of a pivotal phase for TRU and perhaps one of the most significant projects within the programme – the scale of work being undertaken in Ravensthorpe serves as a great indicator of the upgrades that will be delivered here.
“The four-tracking over a brand-new viaduct and through a modernised station means customers will benefit from faster, more reliable journeys across the Pennines with greater capacity.
“We’d like to thank the community for their understanding as we deliver these major upgrades.”
Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said:
“The work to upgrade Ravensthorpe railway station will support the efforts that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is doing to deliver a fully accessible railway that is fit for the 21st century.
“When Ravensthorpe station closes, from Sunday 14 December until the May timetable change in 2026, Northern will be running a rail replacement service between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury, connecting to services for a number of destinations, to ensure our customers can continue to travel with as little impact to their journeys as possible.
“We recognise that the work taking place will lead to extended journey times for customers travelling from Ravensthorpe and thank them for their continued patience.”
Notes to Editors
From Sunday 14 December 2025 until Saturday 16 May 2026, Northern will run an hourly rail replacement bus between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury. This service will be reviewed ahead of the May 2026 timetable change.
TRU fast facts
- TRU is a £10.7bn railway upgrade programme
- 25% of the route is now electrified, with electric train services now running between Manchester and Stalybridge, and York and Church Fenton
- Once complete, TRU aims to halve the time lost to delays
- There are currently 70 worksites across the 70-mile route
- TRU will deliver:
- The full electrification of the line
- Double the amount of tracks in key locations, allowing fast trains to overtake stopping services
- Implement digital signalling to increase speed and capacity
- Improve all 23 stations on the route, supporting accessibility
- TRU has over 5000 staff, with 85% coming from within 40 miles of the route – TRU will have created over 8000 jobs across the duration of the programme
- TRU is expanding freight provision, opening 15 extra freight paths and widening tunnels so shipping containers can travel between ports on the east and west coasts via rail, removing over 1000 lorries a day from the busy roads across the Pennines
Key milestones to date
- New station built at Morley
- Introduction of a fully accessible platform 2 at Castleford station to support diverted services between York and Manchester
- £100m upgrade of diversionary routes completed ahead of major works across the Transpennine Route, increasing railway resilience
- Upgrade of Hope Valley line complete, with a second platform built at Dore & Totley, as well as 1km of additional track at Bamford to reduce bottlenecks
Contact information
Passengers / community members
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03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Ewan Bayliss
Communications Executive
Network Rail
ewan.bayliss@networkrail.co.uk
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