As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) Network Rail are proposing a number of changes between Standedge and Gledholt (Huddersfield).
This includes upgrades at Marsden and Slaithwaite stations, the reconstruction of various bridges and highways, and the installation of new track, signalling and cabling.
They will also be setting up some temporary construction compounds for their teams to be based out of [note for pedants: it was Network Rail, not us, who ended a sentence with a preposition.]. They are keen to share these proposals with the local community and hear feedback on their plans.
The works represented in this public consultation do not include the entirety of the activities between Standedge and Gledholt.
Residents, businesses and stakeholders are now being encouraged to view the plans and provide feedback as part of a public consultation period running from today (Monday 16 February) until Friday 27 March 2026.
The proposals can be viewed online via a dedicated virtual consultation room at: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/standedge-to-gledholt-scheme
In addition, members of the project team will be available at the following in-person events:
– Tuesday 24 February 2026, 2:30pm – 6:30pm at Slaithwaite Community Centre, Bank Gate, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5DL
– Thursday 26 February 2026, 2:30pm – 6:30pm at Marsden Mechanics, Peel Street, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6BW
If you think the timings are a bit awkward for regular commuters, then you would not be the first to have pointed this out.
Proposals for the rebuilding of both Slaithwaite and Marsden stations would provide amongst other things full accessibility to all platforms, and we broadly support these.
The virtual consultation also has information on bridge reconstructions along the route, and potential locations for temporary construction compounds.
SMART has been pushing for consultation on this project, how it affects our communities and what outcomes it will deliver for our communities, for several years now.
One of the things we would like to see is a commitment that the completed scheme will provide an outcome of two stopping trains per hour throughout the day for Marsden and Slaithwaite. Our view is that any meaningful consultation will include consideration of what the completed scheme will deliver for passengers and residents in Marsden and Slaithwaite. It’s a lot easier to put up with “years of severe disruption” (Network Rail’s words not ours) if we have a clear and unambiguous commitment to two stopping trains per hour.
For ease of reference we have uploaded the pdf versions of the consultation documents here. responses to the consultation need to be given either using the Network Rail link above or in person at the drop-in consultation events.