The bus replacements for the forthcoming weekend, 17/18 May and several subsequent weekends (but not the bank holiday weekend). Stopping trains will be running between Manchester (but via Victoria not Piccadilly direct) and Huddersfield. Bus replacement east of Huddersfield towards Dewsbury/Leeds/Wakefield but the trains to Bradford via Halifax will be running. Timings will be different from usual. Please check before travelling using https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/, https://www.tpexpress.co.uk or whatever app or website you usually rely on.
There is also a new timetable effective from 18th May until 27th September, which appears to show little change from the existing timetable up to 17th May. It does not show the changes from 30th August until 28th September, which is when Huddersfield station will be shut along with the entire route as far as Stalybridge. For that period of 30 days, it will be the dreaded Rail Replacement Bus Service. Link to new timetable is at https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/timetables.
A reminder about weekend closures and bus replacement.
Note that a section of the A670 Uppermill High Street underneath Uppermill Viaduct will be closed between 6AM on Saturday 26 April and 11AM on Sunday 27 April to accommodate track renewal works on the viaducts. This work will be repeated from 6AM Saturday 3 May to 11AM Sunday 4 May
Rail replacement bus services will be diverted between Marsden and Greenfield, which may lead to increased journey times.
Colne Valley rail users give just 2.5 stars to their rail service – after 343 people responded to SMART survey in February 2025
The three most travelled to destinations were Leeds (52%), Manchester (26%) and Huddersfield (13%)
The top three issues raised by a majority of respondents are reliability (82%), frequency of service (67%) and connections (63%) – 79% said they would be more likely to use the service if the frequency were increased to a train every half an hour throughout the day
83% are concerned by the recent loss of a direct service to Leeds
People are also concerned about the poor accessibility (particularly at Marsden), overcrowding at peak times and the overall impact of service issues on commuters and businesses which are leading to people abandoning public transport for the car
SMART will work with our local representatives to ensure TPE services and the TRU deliver the service Colne Valley resident deserve.
Key Characteristics
The survey ran from 2nd– 16th February 2025. 343 responded – of which 325 were primarily using Slaithwaite and Marsden to start their journeys (95% of respondents)
The three most travelled to destinations were Leeds (52%), Manchester (26%) and Huddersfield (13%)
73% of respondents were using the service for leisure, with 63% using the service for work (this adds up to more than 100% as people could select more than one).
Given the option to rate the service out of 5 stars, the people of the area gave an average of 2.5 stars.
Priorities for Improvement
When given a choice of five areas to improve, people selected them in the following order:
Reliability of service (82%)
Frequency of service (67%) – with comments saying that trains should be more regular through the day and also later in the evening (with some people saying they can no longer attend evening events in Leeds or Manchester due to frequency/reliability issues)
Direct connections (63%)
Overcrowding (49%) – with people noting the use of three car services at peak times as a particular bugbear
Accessibility (32%)
Other people also mentioned the cost of travel (particularly to Manchester), car parking, more space for bikes on trains, the lack of access to the ticket machine at Marsden and the cleanliness/lighting at stations. People particularly noted the impact this was having on local businesses, with some people saying it meant that they lost work as a result.
79.3% of people said that increasing the frequency of the trains service to one train every half an hour in each direction would increase their usage of the railway.
Direct services to Leeds
83% of people said they were concerned by the loss of direct service to Leeds, with the following reasons given:
Inconvenience: frustration with the increased journey time and inconvenience caused by the need to change trains at Huddersfield – particularly on the return journey from Leeds where people might be waiting an hour for a connection if missed. The change has led to longer overall travel times, missed connections, and a less reliable commute.
Overcrowding: The change has resulted in overcrowded trains and platforms, particularly at Huddersfield. Respondents report difficulties in finding seats.
Negative Impacts: People are feeling this as increased stress and difficulties in managing childcare and work schedules. Many respondents mentioned considering driving as a more reliable alternative. It also particularly affects those with accessibility requirements (who may already be disadvantaged by Marsden station issues).
Economy and Environment: The loss of direct train services has potential negative effects on the local economy, as fewer people may choose to live in or commute from the Colne Valley. Additionally, the increased reliance on cars for commuting could lead to higher road congestion and pollution.
Representative comments made by rail users
“The availability of a regular service to Manchester and Leeds is the main reason why I can live in Marsden. Effective commuter services are essential to our community”
(Marsden, mostly uses for work)
“The reliability of the service has improved since the Government took over ownership of TPE. It is very disappointing that the timetable changes were enacted with no regard for the passengers of the commuter towns. I pay the same fair for a worse service. This is not reasonable.”
(Slaithwaite, mostly uses for work)
“We have a holiday let and if the train services were more often and reliable we would certainly have more people coming to stay and helping the local economy”
(Slaithwaite, mostly uses for leisure)
“My main complaint is about reliability. If I am attending any time-critical event I don’t use the train because of disappointment in the past”
(Marsden, mostly uses for leisure)
“Number of carriages on most services needs to be increased. I travel on the early morning Manchester Piccadilly train regularly & every time the conductor makes an announcement that the service is very busy this morning- but it’s every morning!”
