HCS backs Government’s decision to go ahead with £1.4billion railway improvement scheme

Artist's impression of the revamped Huddersfield Railway Station

Huddersfield Civic Society welcomes the government’s recent decision to proceed with spending £1.4billion between now and 2029 on rebuilding the Huddersfield to Westtown, Dewsbury section of the Transpennine rail route.

This involves constructing two new rail tracks to the east of the current tracks, full electrification of all lines plus rebuilding stations and bridges along the route. Huddersfield station will itself be transformed behind its listed façade onto St George’s Square.

Work is expected to begin shortly, including construction of a temporary Huddersfield station for Leeds-bound services to be built nearly a mile away at Alder Street for operation from spring 2024.

Huddersfield Civic Society president Bernard Ainsworth said: “This project will transform our town. It is the biggest construction project in Huddersfield since the town centre ring road was built 50 years ago.

“Although the construction period will bring disruption to train services and along the Leeds Road corridor, the end result will benefit our town by bringing faster, more frequent and more reliable rail services.”

While Huddersfield Civic Society is disappointed that its proposals for additional car parking, more cycle storage and a second entrance to Huddersfield station have been ruled beyond the scope of Network Rail’s responsibilities for this current project, it hopes that local government organisations will rise to the challenge of providing the full set of facilities Huddersfield’s future rail users deserve.

HCS is also actively working with other local organisations in calling for good facilities at Huddersfield’s temporary Alder Street station and for a proper connecting bus service to and from points all around the town centre.

The full Transport Works Order Act issued by the Department of Transport addresses all points raised at the public inquiry into the scheme held in Huddersfield last year. It authorises Network Rail to proceed now with all aspects of the scheme, including compulsory acquisition of land. It can be read at  https://gat04-live-1517c8a4486c41609369c68f30c8-aa81074.divio-media.org/filer_public/73/45/7345c628-ab3e-433a-8adb-32a42742de9a/huddersfield-to-westtown-dewsbury-improvements-order-application-decision-letter.pdf