Rail electrification completed on key part of Transpennine Route Upgrade

The Government has announced completion of the electrification of the Church Fenton to York rail line, part of the £11bn government-funded Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Faster trains will cut journey times between York and Leeds by 10 minutes and Manchester and Leeds from 50 minutes to 42 minutes, with up to 6 fast services an hour.

A new signalling system and bridge upgrades will allow both faster and more frequent trains, while making the service more reliabie. Extensive station improvements along the route will also improve accessibility and facilities at what are some of the busiest stations across the North.

Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander marked completion of the electrification works by travelling from Leeds to York. She said “Today is a moment of celebration for a project that will transform train travel for millions of passengers across the North. More reliable, efficient trains are now running on 25% of the full TransPennine route.

“Electrification between Church Fenton and York was delivered on time and on budget, this government is investing in ambitious projects and seeing them through, delivering change in areas that desperately need it.

“This upgrade is about opportunity, not just by expanding and improving people’s travel options, but by creating more than 5,000 new jobs and supporting 6,500 new homes, kickstarting economic growth in the areas that need it most.”

The upgrade will enable electric TransPennine Express (TPE) trains to run from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Church Fenton to York – electrifying both ends of the route.

During the work, 85% of the Transpennine Route Upgrade workforce is employed within a 40-mile radius of the route. New communities will be supported by these new travel options, station redevelopments at York Central and Ravensthorpe will regenerate local areas and provide opportunity for 2,500 homes to be built, alongside one million square feet of commercial space and 18 acres of parkland in York and 4,000 homes at Ravensthorpe.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said, “It’s fantastic to see how the Transpennine Route Upgrade is delivering real improvements for passengers in Yorkshire.

“This project, which is currently on time and on budget, will provide more frequent, faster and greener trains, as well as a highly-skilled workforce for future transport projects. Investment in our rail network helps create new jobs, open up opportunities and unlock much-needed housing as we build a better-connected region that works for all.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said “For too long, public transport in York and North Yorkshire hasn’t worked well enough. That’s why the completion of the electrified line between Church Fenton and York is such a vital milestone, with a quarter of the route upgrade now complete.

“This crucial part of the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade unlocks opportunities for jobs and regeneration across the region. It’s the kind of investment we need to build the transport system the North deserves.”