Trains will be diverted and cancelled, with replacement buses brought in for passengers, as a major track engineering project starts from Saturday for more than three weeks.
The work is just one part of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade scheme, which will see faster and more frequent trains running between Manchester and York, via Huddersfield and Leeds. Engineers will work around the clock over 26 days from Saturday, March 11, to upgrade the railway line in Stalybridge, Tameside.
It's the largest phase of work delivered under the programme so far and includes remodelling track, installing more than two kilometres of new track and 23 new signals, upgrading 13 crossovers and fitting new overhead line equipment to improve journeys.
Until Wednesday, April 5, all services between Manchester and Leeds will be diverted via the Calder Valley route, with rail replacement buses on hand.
Passengers travelling across the Pennines are being warned they should allow extra time and plan ahead.
Hannah Lomas, Industry Programme Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: "These upgrades at Stalybridge will mark a significant milestone for the entire programme, bringing us one step closer to faster, greener and more reliable journeys across the north of England.
"We have worked closely with train operators on the route, Northern and TransPennine Express, to make sure that there is a robust plan in place to keep passengers on the move.
"There will be rail diversions and a mix of express and stopping rail replacement buses between Manchester and Huddersfield, so we're asking passengers to plan ahead and check before travelling."
Northern:
Trains between Southport/Wigan North Western and Stalybridge will start/finish at Manchester Victoria.
Rail replacement buses will run between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.
TransPennine Express:
No trains will run via Stalybridge.
A limited service will run on alternative routes between:
Liverpool Lime Street – Manchester Victoria – Leeds – York – Newcastle.
Manchester Victoria – Leeds – York – Saltburn.
Marsden – Huddersfield – Leeds (calling at all stations).
Replacement buses will run between:
Huddersfield and Manchester Piccadilly (fast and stopping).
Huddersfield and Manchester Airport via Stockport.
Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said: "These upgrade works are a vital step towards delivering faster, more reliable and sustainable services between Manchester and York.
"Whilst the engineering work takes place around Stalybridge there will be a number of changes to TransPennine Express services across our network – and we'd advise our customers to check carefully for the latest advice before they travel on our website.
"Updates will also be available on our social media channels. Our teams across from across the industry will be on hand at stations to assist customers with their journeys."
Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern, said: "We'd like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Stalybridge station is closed for this work. These upgrades will pave the way for Northern to run faster, greener electric trains to Stalybridge in the future. We're working hard to keep our customers moving throughout the duration of the closure, and we'd like to remind customers to check before they travel."
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