Leeds to Micklefield Upgrades
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a major, multi-billion pound programme of improvements. It will bring more frequent, faster, greener trains between York, Leeds and Manchester on a better, cleaner, more reliable railway.
To enable this to happen, we have proposed a number of changes between Leeds and Micklefield.
Works include:
- Replacing five level crossings with safer alternatives;
- Raising, reconstructing or removing a number of bridges to enable electrification;
- and installing some small-scale infrastructure.
We are also proposing a number of temporary work compounds to help us carry out these essential improvements.
A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) is required to deliver these elements of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. This is a piece of legislation approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, granting permission to carry out the work.
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Key benefits
Our proposed scheme has a number of crucial benefits:
Supporting economic growth
With more trains and faster journeys, our proposals will better connect the cities across the North. This will support economic growth in the North and deliver real benefits for passengers, communities and freight services along this vital rail artery.
Improved safety
We are responsible for maintaining the railway network, and this includes making it as safe as possible for passengers and the public. Level crossings can pose a serious risk to users and by increasing the line speed and frequency of trains this risk is likely to increase, so we want to create a safer way for people to cross to reduce the risk of any accidents.
Greener travel
We are electrifying the whole route to enable quieter, greener trains to run, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality for the communities along our route.
Our plans
We have summarised each element of the proposed works included in our Transport and Works Act Order application below. For more information, you can find copies of the documents submitted as part of the Order below.
Our engagement
We carried out two public consultations to share the proposals with the local community and hear their feedback on our plans.
The first consultation took place between Monday 24 October and Friday 18 November 2022 and we used an online virtual consultation room and a series of face-to-face events to promote the Scheme proposals.
We also carried out a second public consultation between 13 March and 11 April 2023 on the additional proposals to permanently close Garforth Moor and Highroyds Woods Level Crossings. Both of these crossings have already been closed on safety grounds, but we are proposing to apply to permanently remove them and divert or extinguish the Public Rights of Way across them.
Following this consultation process, we have considered all the feedback received in order to develop detailed designs and apply for permission to build the Scheme, using the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).
Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application
Listed Building Consents
Statement of Case
Contact us
If you have any questions or require more information about the Scheme, you can email us TranspennineEngagement@networkrail.co.uk
You can also visit our contact us page or call our 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41. Please quote “Leeds to Micklefield TWAO” to be directed to the correct team.