SMART

Representatives of SMART had the opportunity to discuss the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) with staff from TRU this month. Here are the main points:

• Consultation: will begin with residents and businesses for the Huddersfield to Marsden section in early 2026 (provisionally February). They then intend to consult on relevant planning documents in Autumn/Winter 2026 and submit for approval to the Department for Transport in 2028. The Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) for Stalybridge to Diggle is currently in its consultation period, deadline 19th December.
• Closures: there will be about 15 weeks of closures somewhere on the route every year, alongside significant disruption on most weekends. Some of these will not directly affect us but always check the TRU and TPE websites for the latest. Our feedback on rail replacement services is being considered – including real time bus tracking! We reiterated concerns about the current lack of accessibility at Marsden station through not using the accessible platform. TRU stated that due to the layout of the track, using that platform would require each train to take an three additional minutes which would not be possible with the current timetable. They say that the issue will only be fixed when TRU is complete – which is very disappointing.
• Station Upgrades: both Marsden and Slaithwaite will have fully accessible, three platform stations served by footbridges and lifts. Slaithwaite will gain a new car park on Crimble Bank that will mean a significant net addition in parking. Consideration is also being given to making Crimble Bank one way for the short stretch where the road goes under the railway for safety reasons. Marsden station parking changes are subject to further discussions between TRU and Kirklees Council, with further work needed to align with the Marsden Masterplan.
• Future Service Patterns: TRU are still unable to guarantee that all this disruption will actually lead to any benefit for Colne Valley rail users in terms of rail service. This is because they keep saying it will allow ‘up to two trains’ per hour – the same as now. SMART believes that any meaningful consultation about the project must include discussion about what outcomes the completed scheme will deliver for our communities, and specifically about the need for an increased frequency.  SMART continues to push for a half hourly service for Slaithwaite and Marsden – and has raised this issue again with TRU and our MP. If people are concerned about this then do please write to your Councillors, MP or others to make this point.

In terms of station performance, Slaithwaite and Marsden stations continue to have some of the worst rail service based on punctuality and cancellations in the country at 2,485th and 2,439th respectively out of 2,638 stations [Source: www.ontimetrains.co.uk].