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.
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.
Downloadable documents of the proposed designs are located towards the end of the page
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.
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.
Stations would be upgraded to modern standards and will provide better accessibility for passengers. Our proposals include improvements at Huddersfield, Deighton, Mirfield and Ravensthorpe.
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.
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.
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.
Existing Deighton Station
Alternative Deighton Station
Relocation of the station 400m to the west on Birkby-Bradley Greenway
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
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.
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
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.
We plan to manage impacts through the following interventions:
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.
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.
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:
In addition we will:
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:
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:
Understand and recognise the characteristics of our towns, cities and rural landscapes
Minimise and mitigate the effects of construction
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.
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