6 days Ago
TRAIN travellers in York and North Yorkshire are being warned about rail disruption over the Easter bank holiday weekend. York-based Northern say that anyone planning to use services between Leeds and York over the Easter weekend is being asked to check before they travel as there will be some disruption due to engineering works. Northern’s stopping services between Leeds and York (calling at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth, Micklefield, and Church Fenton) will be temporarily operated by TransPennine Express (TPE) between Saturday (April 19) and Monday (April 21).
A Northern spokesperson said: "The timetable will remain the same and Northern tickets will still be valid on these services, even though they will be run by TPE. "Northern tickets will only be valid on these specific replacement services and customers cannot use them on other TPE services. "Additionally, due to engineering work in the Mirfield area, trains between Leeds and Manchester will be diverted via the Calder Valley route through Hebden Bridge.
"As a result, Northern services on this route are expected to be much busier than usual. "Customers are being asked to check before travelling. "Detailed journey times are available on online journey planners as well as the Northern app and website.
" In November, Transpennine Express joined Northern in operating electric passenger services between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge. Electric test trains have also been in operation between York and Church Fenton, with the first electrified passenger services between the two stations set to launch later this year. Significant progress has also been made in upgrading infrastructure across the route, including large-scale change seen at Huddersfield station.
The station upgrade passed the one-year mark over the Winter when scaffold towers and a raised working platform are in place to enable the canopy restoration work, whilst the tearoom – built in 1886 – was dismantled in 8,000 different pieces and carefully stored away ahead of being reinstated in the future. Once complete, the full route upgrade will see an increased frequency in trains between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. Transpennine Express say that journeys between Manchester and York are forecasted to take 63 to 66 minutes once completed.
Eventually, the whole route is set to be electrified, with a new digital signalling system aimed at reducing delays and cancellations..
