This is a bit of advance warning about Sunday line closures in 2012.
Regular travellers will be aware that our line closes on Sundays during the Autumn to allow maintenance to take place in Standedge tunnel.
In 2012, there will be some additional closures.
The reason for this is that Stalybridge station is to be remodelled, creating two extra platforms. One is to be a bay platform facing towards Manchester Victoria, next to the buffet bar. This will be for the Stalybridge to Liverpool trains which will no longer have to cross the main line. There will be one additional through platform, which will enable express trains to overtake local trains at Stalybridge, in either direction. This gives more flexibility to reduce the impact of delays.
The construction process will cause some disruption.
There will be no Sunday trains from 1st April to 24th June and again from 16th September through to December. [Actually that’s not quite true, there will be one mid-evening train from Huddersfield to Marsden and back.]
During October half term the line will be closed (a “complete blockade” at Stalybridge, as it has been described) with Trans Pennine expresses sent along the Calder Valley route through Todmorden & Rochdale and a replacement bus between Victoria and Huddersfield.
Hopefully Northern Rail and Metro will make sure passengers are kept informed, but just in case they don’t, we will put information up on the SMART website nearer the time.
SMART will be seeking to persuade Northern Rail and Metro to run hourly trains between Huddersfield and Marsden during the week of the “blockade” during October half term.