Upgrade work in Deighton continues over Christmas period: Deighton Christmas Work PR

Thursday 11 Dec 2025

Upgrade work in Deighton continues over Christmas period

Region & Route:
Eastern

From 22:15 on Wednesday 24 December until 05:30 on Sunday 27 December, the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) team will undertake major engineering work in Deighton whilst trains aren’t running on the network.

Whitacre Street overbridge will be demolished, whilst the A62 Leeds Road bridge will see the installation of pre-cast concrete parapets using a crane. Both sets of bridge work form a vital part of TRU’s modernisation of Deighton station, which remains closed until 2027, and enable track realignment works next year.

The track realignment works will allow the number of tracks to be doubled from two to four, meaning direct services can overtake stopping services and reduce journey times. The work will also facilitate the installation of overhead line equipment (OLE), which will power greener, electrified trains in the future.

The diversionary routes currently in place in the area remain the same, with road users encouraged to check roadworks.org.

Deighton station will be transformed when it reopens in 2027. Key improvements include:

  • Extended platforms to accommodate longer trains with more seats for passengers
  • A brand-new footbridge with lifts for step-free access to both platforms
  • A new station forecourt, including a drop-off point, accessible parking and improved waiting shelters

 

Sophie Leishman, TRU sponsor, said:

“We’d like to thank the local community for their understanding as we work to deliver major upgrades for Deighton station. The Christmas period is always a good opportunity for work to be completed as there is minimum disruption to services.

“The work on both bridges during this time will take us a step closer to a much-improved Deighton station and improved rail services through the area and beyond.”

Notes to Editors

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a multi-billion-pound railway programme that will transform journeys across the North, better connecting towns and cities like Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

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
Network Rail national helpline
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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