Extra services announced for rail diversion route

Extra rail services are to be added between Manchester and Mirfield to help keep people travelling during ongoing engineering work.

Transpennine Express (TPE) said it would be running three trains per hour rather than two on the Calder Valley route via Hebden Bridge while the multibillion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) project continues.

Andrew McClements, customer experience lead, said the uplift in services would be "vital" when Huddersfield railway station closes for 30 days, from 30 August.

The company said services between Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and York would also be impacted by the closure, while some Northern services will run to an amended timetable.

The line between Huddersfield and Stalybridge will remain open for the coming weeks, but TPE has warned that train services near Manchester are expected to be busy on the weekends of 12/13 and 19/20 July due to engineering works.

It advised customers to plan ahead, particularly those attending Oasis' run of shows at Heaton Park.

The operator said while Huddersfield Station is closed, diverted trains would make additional calls at Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge, Castleton and Brighouse.

Rail replacement bus services will be in place between Brighouse and Huddersfield.

About £100m has been spent on improving diversionary routes under the TRU programme, the company said.

James Richardson, TRU managing director, said this meant engineers could complete upgrades "safely and on time".

He said: "We're really proud how these routes and services keep people on the move during disruption. We're committed to delivering a more resilient railway for the future."

TPE said the upgrade programme would bring faster journey times, improved accessibility at stations, and more frequent and reliable trains.

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