Leeds to Micklefield Upgrades

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a major, multi-billion pound programme of improvements. It will bring more frequent, faster, greener trains between York, Leeds and Manchester on a better, cleaner, more reliable railway. 

To enable this to happen, we have proposed a number of changes between Leeds and Micklefield.

Works include replacing five level crossings with safer alternatives; raising, reconstructing or removing a number of bridges to enable electrification; and installing some small-scale infrastructure. We are also proposing a number of temporary work compounds to help us carry out these essential improvements.

A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) is required to deliver these elements of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. This is a piece of legislation approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, granting permission to carry out the work

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Key benefits

Our proposed scheme has a number of crucial benefits: 

Supporting economic growth 

With more trains and faster journeys, our proposals will better connect the cities across the North. This will support economic growth in the North and deliver real benefits for passengers, communities and freight services along this vital rail artery. 

Improved safety 

We are responsible for maintaining the railway network, and this includes making it as safe as possible for passengers and the public. Level crossings can pose a serious risk to users and by increasing the line speed and frequency of trains this risk is likely to increase, so we want to create a safer way for people to cross to reduce the risk of any accidents. 

Greener travel 

We are electrifying the whole route to enable quieter, greener trains to run, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality for the communities along our route. 

Our plans

Below is a summary of each element of the proposed works included in our Transport and Works Act Order application. For more information, you can find copies of the documents submitted as part of the Order below.

Our engagement

We carried out two public consultations to share the proposals with the local community and hear their feedback on our plans.
The first consultation took place between Monday 24 October and Friday 18 November 2022 and we used an online virtual consultation room and a series of face-to-face events to promote the Scheme proposals.

We also carried out a second public consultation between 13 March and 11 April 2023 on the additional proposals to permanently close Garforth Moor and Highroyds Woods Level Crossings. Both of these crossings have already been closed on safety grounds, but we are proposing to apply to permanently remove them and divert or extinguish the Public Rights of Way across them.

Following this consultation process, we have considered all the feedback received in order to develop detailed designs and apply for permission to build the Scheme, using the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).

Next steps

The Network Rail (Leeds to Micklefield Enhancements) Transport and Works Act Order

On 17 July 2023, Network Rail submitted its Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Secretary of State for Transport for the Leeds to Micklefield scheme.

The Leeds to Micklefield Order will include a range of powers including the acquisition of all necessary land and rights, the temporary use of land; the authorisation of works and deemed planning permission, the diversion or stopping up of public rights of way, environmental consents, closure of the level crossings and powers to alter public highways and to undertake street works.

Listed Building Consent applications have also been submitted to consent works to listed bridges. The applications do not form part of the Order but have been submitted and will be determined concurrently.

To view the TWAO application and all the plans and documents submitted with them please refer to our application documents below.

To view Network Rail’s Statement of Case and the documents which Network Rail intends to refer to or put in as evidence at the public inquiry (listed at Appendix 1 to the Statement of Case) please also refer to the links below. The documents may also be inspected free of charge from 20 November 2023 at the following locations:

The Leeds Central Library, Municipal Buildings, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB

  • Monday – 09:00 to 20:00
  • Tuesday – 09:00 to 20:00
  • Wednesday – 09:00 to 20:00
  • Thursday – 09:00 to 20:00
  • Friday – 09:00 to 17:00
  • Saturday – 10:00 to 16:00
  • Sunday – Closed

Garforth Library and One Stop Centre, Lidgett Lane, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1EH

  • Monday – 09:00 to 17:00
  • Tuesday – 10:00 to 17:00
  • Wednesday – 09:00 to 19:00
  • Thursday – 09:00 to 17:00
  • Friday – 09:00 to 17:00
  • Saturday – 10:00 to 16:00
  • Sunday – Closed

Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application

Listed Building Consents

Statement of Case

Contact us

If you have any questions or require more information about the Scheme, you can email us TranspennineEngagement@networkrail.co.uk

You can also visit our contact us page or call our 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41. Please quote “Leeds to Micklefield TWAO” to be directed to the correct team.