Major train disruption expected for eight weeks
Major train disruptions are expected between Mossley and Dewsbury for eight weeks due to upgrade work as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). The work includes track renewal over Saddleworth viaduct in Oldham, impacting weekend services from March 29 to May 18, with rail replacement buses and diversions in place. Local officials have raised concerns about the timing and lack of consultation, particularly regarding the closure of Uppermill High Street during key tourist weekends. Network Rail has acknowledged the concerns but stated that rescheduling is not possible due to pre-planned engineering access.
Eight-Weekend Rail Upgrade to Disrupt Transpennine Services
Rail passengers face eight consecutive weekends of disruption between Mossley and Dewsbury starting Saturday, March 29, as Network Rail carries out critical upgrade work on the Transpennine Route.
The multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) will affect all trains through Huddersfield each weekend until May 18, with track renewal work scheduled over Saddleworth viaduct in Oldham. While weekday services will operate normally, Monday, April 21, will also see changes as engineers complete work at Mirfield station.
Chris Nutton, Major Projects and TRU Director at TransPennine Express, confirmed passengers will travel via diversion routes and rail replacement buses during the affected periods. “The investment put into the stations and infrastructure between Stalybridge and Dewsbury will not only improve the railway of today, but will continue the vital journey of the Transpennine Route Upgrade that will bring greener, faster, and more reliable trains to rail customers in the North,” Nutton said.
Local communities face additional disruption as Uppermill High Street closes to vehicles and pedestrians from 6:00 AM Saturday to 11:00 AM Sunday on April 26-27 and May 3-4. The timing has sparked outrage from local officials, with Councillor Barbara Beeley, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, condemning the lack of consultation. “It is extremely late in the day for Network Rail to realise it should have had the courtesy to speak to local people,” Beeley wrote, noting the closures coincide with the 80th anniversary of VE Day celebrations and the annual Art Trail that draws tourists across Saddleworth’s villages.
Network Rail defended the closures as essential for public safety, explaining that the 25-metre-high viaduct requires complete road closure to protect against falling debris during track renewal. “Given the nature of this work, the risk of falling materials from the viaduct means that a full road closure is required to protect public safety,” a spokesperson stated, adding that rescheduling is impossible as railway access is agreed years in advance.
Source: Read original article