We’re one week into the line closure – three weeks to go!
Closures: Further detail can be on the SMART or TPE websites. All being well, things should be back to normal from Monday 29th September – though direct trains from Slaithwaite and Marsden to and from Leeds at peak times will resume (to get the stopping trains out of the way). This is because there will only be two platforms at Huddersfield until Autumn 2026, so the direct service will cease again once there is more capacity at Huddersfield (though SMART will continue to press for the reinstatement of direct trains to and from Leeds on a permanent basis).
Rail replacement issues: Please contact SMART with the location, direction, time, date and bus so we can also flag any issues directly to the project. Slaithwaite and Marsden rail users have been in contact almost every day this week to raise issues about delayed, cancelled or lost buses. SMART representatives will be meeting with TPE on Tuesday 9th September (and probably in subsequent weeks as well) to discuss rail replacement bus issues so anything ahead of that is very helpful.
Transport Committee and BBC Radio Manchester phone in: We wrote to Parliament’s Transport Committee to flag the disruption we are facing whilst still lacking clarity on what the service pattern will be after the upgrade. We continue to press for two trains an hour throughout the day. We also spoke on BBC Radio Manchester this week, receiving a commitment from Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham that he supports this ambition.
West Yorkshire Mayor Transport Consultation: This is open until October. We would encourage rail users to complete either questionnaire here to ask West Yorkshire to continue to push for two trains an hour for the stations at Slaithwaite and Marsden. A more regular service would be good for encouraging public transport use, can be integrated with the proposed Weaver Network in the future (a single ticket system across trains, buses and the proposed tram system like other areas!) and good for the local economy and environment too.