What is the Transpennine Route Upgrade? Who is delivering TRU? What is the Transpennine main line?

On the 7th November 2024, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, and Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh MP, joined Mayor Andy Burnham in Manchester where they were able to see firsthand the progress being made on the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). Read a report here

The website of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (here) desribes the project as follows:-

"The Transpennine Route Upgrade, or TRU, is a transformative, multi-billion pound railway programme that will better connect passengers in the North between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

TRU will transform the Transpennine main line into a high-performing, reliable railway, bringing more frequent, more reliable, faster, greener trains. The size of the project does mean that there will be planned disruption to services so the work can be delivered, however, we are still very much committed to keeping passengers moving on a train as often as possible, in comfort and on time.

The programme is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Network Rail, through dedicated alliances and project teams. There are a number of organisations that make up TRU, and every one of them plays a crucial role in making it a world class programme.

We also work in close collaboration with train operators TransPennine Express and Northern, freight operators, a number of combined authorities across the region, as well as the members of our supply chain.

The route

Stretching across the North of England between Manchester and York, via Huddersfield and Leeds, the 70-mile Transpennine main line serves 23 stations, crosses over and dips under dozens of bridges and viaducts, passes through six miles of tunnels, and crosses over 29 level crossings".