THE signing of a Transport and Works Act order by the Transport Secretary on June 27 will pave the way for a faster, greener, better-connected railway on the Leeds-Manchester TransPennine route. The approval follows three years of planning, a public consultation and a public inquiry.
Described by Network Rail as the biggest milestone the Transpennine Route Upgrade has achieved, improvements will be undertaken between Huddersfield and Westtown (Dewsbury).
TransPennine Class 802 No. 802204 passes through Ravensthorpe station on August 14, 2020. The station will move 300 yards to behind the vantage point and the line will be electrified.
Earthworks for the grade separation, realignment and flyover for the diverted lines from Wakefield (on the right) will take place on the footprint of the existing station site. Hopefully a suitable home can be found for the footbridge.
CHRIS MILNER
RAILING FOR SYDNEY GARDENS:
Network Rail has embarked on installing a safety fence in Sydney Gardens, Bath, as well as cleaning the wall and strengthening the foundations. The move follows a number of trespass incidents. Pictured on June 28 is GWR Class 158 DMU No. 158957 passing members of the work team who were installing railings.
GLEN BATTEN