Delivering an £11bn investment to unlock growth
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a once-in-a-generation investment, transforming millions of journeys for the north. This key transport artery from Manchester to Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, is alive with activity, delivering massive improvements, enabling a huge boost to the economy. Dubbed as the Crossrail of the North, when TRU completes, Leeds to Manchester will take less than 45 minutes and York to Manchester will take just over an hour.

Imagine a new job, a shopping trip, concert or family day out, all made possible on new trains and capacity increased by over a third on today, meaning more seats and almost 300 extra services a week.

Leading the £11bn programme is the TRU Managing Director James Richardson. Based in the north and well-versed in major infrastructure programmes, with a 25 years industry career, he talks with pride, at the work underway. “It’s an amazing programme to be part of. We have the political support, the public’s support and a 5,000-strong talented team, delivering on a key public need – better transport in the north. You get that right and then the infrastructure, housing and jobs all follow and economies really grow. It’s all ahead of us.”

Travelling between Leeds and Huddersfield shows how TRU can be the foundation of great capability in the north, as technical designers and engineers cut their teeth on this huge programme of works. From the train window you glimpse some of the 70 work sites across 70 miles, as an army in orange jackets and white helmets, weave a trail across the landscape, reshaping connectivity, reliability and sustainability. The programme is already generating thousands of jobs, estimated at 8,000 at peak, and currently over 80% of the workforce are employed within 40 miles of the route. TRU’s supporting local economies and creating long-term skills and training opportunities too. Over half the 600 apprenticeships have been awarded and over £560m is already spent with local businesses.

Investment is pouring in along the route, with chemicals firm Syngenta announcing up to 300 jobs at its Huddersfield site earlier this year and a new station at Ravensthorpe nearby, will unlock 4,000 new homes – proof that transport can revitalise local communities. As the ambitious programme modernises one of the country’s busiest rail corridors, it’s all being delivered on time and on budget. TRU’s whole-system approach to delivering the railway, combining track, trains, timetable through one integrated organisation. This is catching rising interest, as the industry gears up for a similar alignment, with the introduction of Great British Railways.

“People are really engaged with what we are doing now,” says James. “Our power comes from all sectors of the railway being in the tent and it really is a team, fully integrated and focused on success.” For TRU, working on a live railway has its challenges – it’s been compared to open heart surgery on a runner in a marathon – which means travel disruption in the years ahead. The team look to minimise the effects of work and ensure passengers travel by trains as much as possible, with a reduced reliance on bus services. Three dedicated diversionary train routes have been built to accommodate work and keep services going. Supporting it all is a complex operation, coordinated and delivered by a team passionate about helping customers on their journeys.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of the programme.
Work is planned far in advance and regular consultations and updates ensure that local residents and businesses are kept informed and have a voice in the development process. This collaborative approach helps to build trust and ensures that the project meets the needs of the communities it serves. Recent successes include the work with residents and businesses at Osmondthorpe, Leeds at the end of 2024 when a 200 tonne bridge deck had to be delicately lifted into place in a confined housing estate. The project required months of planning and preparation and engagement on the ground, ensuring everyone impacted was prepared and supported during the effort.

The programme is always looking at innovative and new ways to help people engage with the TRU story, and earlier this year the first ever TRU time capsule was planted in Ravensthorpe with local school children and Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy and Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin. The TRU social value teams play a big part in supporting activity on the ground. Collaborating with organisations and communities across the route, they help deliver up close and positive impacts as the part of the programme’s activities, such as helping build outdoor classroom areas and delivering thousands of STEM sessions. The Canals and Rivers Trust are just one of many charities to receive thousands of hours support through volunteering by TRU staff.

TRU’s dedicated community fund has awarded £175,000 to 28 organisations including Thornhill Trojans amateur rugby league club in Dewsbury, who used the funding to paint and decorate their community centre. Other recipients included Leeds’ Incredible Edible, to build a gardening project, and The Place, University of York, to create a space for mentoring and mental health support. Many of TRU’s infrastructure benefits are incremental, but real progress is evident, like new stations at Morely with its new footbridge and access ramps as work continues on improved accessibility at stations across the route. The plan is to complete works at Mirfield station before the end of 2025. Roof works are progressing at pace at Huddersfield Station as the wider refurbishments continue. The original timber-framed Edwardian tea rooms have been painstakingly removed and stored away to be returned and restored in future.

Electric services for passengers are running now between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge. By the end of 2025 almost 20 of TRU’s 70 miles could be electrified with York to Church Fenton next on the list for completion. The project is more than just a railway upgrade – it is a catalyst for economic regeneration, connecting businesses to talent, people to opportunities and the North to the rest of the UK. By 2033 the route will see an increase from six to eight trains per hour, enabling better regional and stopping services. The programme will unlock 15 new freight paths per day – taking up to 1,000 lorries a day off the clogged-up roads. For businesses, this means a more dependable transport network, increased labour market accessibility and enhanced links between key urban centres. By enabling faster movement of goods and people, TRU is reducing congestion, improving supply chain resilience and making the North a more attractive place to invest.

Sustainability lies at the heart of TRU and the environmental benefits are significant. By shifting more freight from road to rail, the project will reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment. The electrification of the route will further enhance these benefits, making the railway more sustainable and reducing its carbon footprint. The project will fully electrify the 70-mile route, supported by 170 miles of new overhead line equipment, removing diesel trains from the corridor and cutting 108,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. By reducing the carbon footprint of logistics operators, this shift to rail aligns with the UK’s Net Zero commitments and makes Northern businesses greener and more competitive in a low-carbon economy.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is not just about improving transport; it’s about transforming the very fabric of the North. The project is set to enhance the quality of life for millions, providing faster, more reliable journeys and opening up new opportunities for work, leisure, and education. As the North becomes more connected, the benefits will ripple outwards, driving growth and prosperity across the region.

“We’re strengthening links between communities, industries, and key regional hubs, paving the way for sustainable growth and regeneration across the North,” said James, “By modernising the railway, we are unlocking new opportunities, improving access to jobs and investment, and creating a transport network that supports long-term economic development. TRU really is more than an infrastructure project – it’s a catalyst for a greener, more connected, and more prosperous future.”

The future of the North looks bright with the Transpennine Route Upgrade. As the project progresses, it will continue to unlock new opportunities, drive economic growth, and create a more connected and sustainable region. The investment in TRU is an investment in the future, paving the way for a new era of prosperity and development.

Find out more about the Transpennine Route Upgrade project.
Visit the dedicated website for the latest updates and further in-depth analysis:  theTRUpgrade.co.uk

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The post Transforming the North: The Transpennine Route Upgrade appeared first on Business Connect Magazine.