Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) Phase 2

Overview

We’ve extended our feedback deadline until Thursday 30 April

We want to make sure you have enough time to review our plans and feedback on the Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) scheme. That is why we have extended our feedback deadline until Thursday 30 April.

If you have any questions regarding the scheme, please call our 24/7 national helpline on 03457 11 41 41, and the helpline will direct your questions directly to the Transpennine Engagement team, or email: TranspennineEngagement@networkrail.co.uk

Last August we launched a consultation with members of the public and stakeholders on our proposals to improve the railway between Huddersfield and Westtown (Dewsbury), a 13km stretch of a wider upgrade to the Transpennine route between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and Leeds. We're proposing to help create a better performing railway that passengers can depend on with more seats, more trains and faster journeys. By creating a better-connected North, this will provide people with more opportunities to travel, work, study or see family and friends. We would now like you to see how our designs have developed since our first phase of consultation and gather some more of your views.

The Scheme

We're proposing to double the number of tracks, upgrade stations and electrify the railway between Huddersfield and Leeds Westtown – and right through to Leeds.

Proposed Designs

Downloadable documents of the proposed designs are located towards the end of the page

 

The Benefits

With 85% of respondents who fed back through our first round of consultation supporting the scheme, we understand how important it is to passengers and the community that we deliver the benefits of the upgrade.

 

A better railway

The tracks would be doubled from two to four along most of the railway, meaning a more resilient and reliable railway while also improving journey times and providing more frequent trains for passengers.

 

 

Accessible stations

Stations would be upgraded to modern standards and will provide better accessibility for passengers. Our proposals include improvements at Huddersfield, Deighton, Mirfield and Ravensthorpe.

 

 

Cleaner and quieter railway

We plan to electrify the railway from Huddersfield to Westtown – and right through to Leeds. This means cleaner travel and is potentially quieter for those living near the railway.

 

 

 

Supporting economic growth

With more seats and more trains, our proposals will better connect the cities in the North. We want to build a railway which passengers and businesses can trust.

 

 

 

Scheme Interventions

Huddersfield Station.

 

• Reconstruction of the platforms to provide an additional through platform (in addition to the three that currently exist) and a Leeds facing bay platform

• Trackwork to the east and west of the station to allow us to better manage the proposed increase in the number of trains.

• Removal of the western section of the trainshed roof to facilitate the new platform layout. We propose to retain the remainder of the main trainshed. We are working closely with Historic England and Kirklees Council while our design work is ongoing, and we are assessing the structure.

• Demolition and replacement of part of the roof.

• Provision of a new pedestrian bridge to connect all the platforms, in addition to the existing subway which will be extended to the new platform.

• The scheme proposes to relocate the tea room (within the new station layout) to facilitate the new platform layout.

Deighton Station.

Existing Deighton Station

• Retention of the station in its existing location.
• Provision of a station forecourt area with level, step-free access onto the station footbridge, three blue badge parking spaces and drop off area
• Reconstruction of Whitacre Street bridge to allow for track alignment and overhead line equipment clearances.
• Realignment of the cycleway within the Birkby-Bradley Greenway to allow for earthworks adjacent to the widened railway corridor.
• Acquisition and demolition of seven residential properties to facilitate the reconstruction of the station.

 

 

Alternative Deighton Station

• Relocation of the station 400m to the west on Birkby-Bradley Greenway

• Provision of a station forecourt area with level, step-free access onto the station footbridge, three blue badge parking spaces and drop off area

• Deck replacement of Whitacre Street bridge to allow for the track alignment and overhead line equipment clearances.

• Relocating the station would mean no residential properties would be required

 

Mirfield Station.

• Reconstruction of the station to allow four tracks to pass through.
• Fast lines will not be platformed, but London service will remain (always subject to operator change however).
• Provision of step-free access to the platforms will be provided via lifts.
• Build a new footbridge connecting to the island platform
• Retention of the existing car park and relocation of three blue badge parking spaces to a more accessible location closer to the station entrance.

 

 

Ravensthorpe Station.

• Relocation of the station approximately 300m to the west of the existing location.
• Relocation of the station to the west of Thornhill Junction which provides a future opportunity for stopping services to / from Wakefield to call at Ravensthorpe Station in addition to existing Leeds services, should the operator wish to.
• Realignment of Calder Road would be required to provide adequate clearances over the proposed railway if the fly-over is progressed. If the dive-under is progressed, realignment is not required.
• Provision of a station forecourt with level, step-free access onto the station forecourt and 3no. blue badge parking spaces.
• Provision of an island platform to improve access and wayfinding to rail services.

 

 

Grade Separation

To facilitate doubling the number of tracks from two to four and remove the existing conflict, we’re proposing to separate the lines to/from Wakefield from the lines to/from Leeds through a grade separation (a bridge or tunnel).

Due to the complexity of the work to build either a bridge (fly-over) or tunnel (dive-under) at Ravensthorpe, we are still looking at both options to ensure we deliver the benefits that passengers want to see.

 

Dive-under

 

Fly-over

Colne Bridge Road

Colne Bridge Road is formed of two arches, both are currently not large enough to allow for the proposed railway to pass through – this requires us to replace the bridge. We have two options for rebuilding the bridge which are currently being developed. Both options propose a compliant highway width with one footpath.

Option 1: An offline solution which replaces the structure adjacent to the existing

 

Option 2: An online solution which replaces the structure within the same alignment

 

Huddersfield Viaduct – John William Street

To support the new, longer platforms and track at Huddersfield station, we propose replacing John William Street Bridge to support the current existing walls of Huddersfield viaduct. We have developed three options, each posing its own technical challenges.

Option A – Single Span

A clear span steel deck which requires large, bespoke supporting beams to be installed within the constrained location. This is a technically challenging structure to build given the surrounding land uses and limited vertical clearance between the road level and the rail level.

 

 

Option B – Central support  

A pre-stressed concrete structure with one support allows the scheme to construct the bridge in smaller elements by placing a line of piers in the centre of the road.

 

Option C – Side Support

A steel structure with a side support. This also allows the bridge to be constructed in smaller elements than Option B.

 

Managing Impacts:

We plan to manage impacts through the following interventions:

 

Design and Engineering

We plan to deliver improvements to the railway for both passengers and the regional economy, while considering the local community. Where possible, our engineering designs maximise every opportunity to make use of land within the existing railway corridor.

Highways and Utilities

Throughout construction there would be significant highways alterations and improvements taking place. We are working closely with the relevant highway authorities and utilities operators to understand how we can best minimise any disruption to traffic flow and services in the local community.

Transporting materials and equipment by rail is the preferred means of supporting construction though we will have to use the road network as well.

 

Social Value

Our proposals will contribute to the North’s economic and social development, bringing jobs, transport links and helping local areas develop and thrive. We have a Social Value Strategy which aims to support social and economic development by procuring services and skills from the local area, supporting young people with apprenticeships and make the railway inclusive for all.

Our designs aim to:

• Show consideration for our lineside neighbours, surrounding communities and local businesses
• Reduce the impact of construction on the local businesses
• Improve accessibility

In addition we will:

• Provide opportunities for local employment and apprenticeships
• Engage young people in the rail industry
• Work with local communities to deliver local beneficial initiatives

 

The Environment

We care about the environment around us. We have a sustainability strategy and are carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment that will help show how the design for the new railway layout will bring passenger benefits, while respecting the natural and human environment.

Our designs aim to:

• Reduce carbon through intelligent engineering
• Minimise resource use and waste
• Responsibly source materials such as timber
• Deliver measurable net positive biodiversity

 

Our Heritage

Our Heritage is very important. We are working closely with historic environment groups to make sure that the design of the new railway layout between Huddersfield and Westtown (Dewsbury) will bring improvements for passengers, while respecting much loved local landmarks such as the Grade I?listed Huddersfield Train Station.

Our designs aim to:

• Work in harmony with our historic environment

• Understand and recognise the characteristics of our towns, cities and rural landscapes

• Minimise and mitigate the effects of construction

 

Next Steps

As we are proposing to build a railway outside of the existing operational boundary, a Transport and Works Act Order is required. This is a piece of legislation approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, allowing Network Rail to carry out the work if granted.

 

Have your say

This is your chance to view our proposals before we submit our Transport and Works Act Order application later this year. There are still some aspects of our design we would like your feedback on. You can share your views by returning our freepost feedback form or filling in our online survey. 

Comments can be submitted between Monday 16 March and Friday 10 April.

If you have any questions, please email:

TranspennineEngagement@networkrail.co.uk

 

You can also call Network Rail’s 24-Hour National Helpline on: 03457 11 41 41