UK: Church Fenton to York Rail Line Fully Electrified in TRU Milestone

The electrification of the Church Fenton to York rail line has now been completed, enabling electric TransPennine Express (TPE) trains to run from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Church Fenton to York.

The work forms part of the 11 billion GBP government-funded TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which aims to reduce journey times between York and Manchester by up to 10 minutes, Manchester and Leeds by 8 minutes and provide up to 6 fast services an hour.

In order to achieve the reduced journey times, a new signalling system is being installed along the route, in addition to bridge upgrades and general station overhauls to improve accessibility and facilities.

The upgrade is planned to create more than 5,000 new jobs, support the development of 6,500 new homes and provide commercial space across the North as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, who was the first person to ride the newly electrified route, 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.

We are delivering on our Plan for Change by upgrading rail links across the North – slashing journey times between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

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.

With 85% of the workforce responsible for the TRU employed within a 40-mile radius of the route, the government is aiming to aid both local people and businesses.

Station redevelopments at York Central and Ravensthorpe are expected to aid in the regeneration of local areas and provide opportunities for the building of 2,500 new homes.

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.