![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Operations-At-First-Group-Rail-Stations.jpg\")
A Trans Pennine Express train (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/p>\nFaster trains are set to cut journey times from Manchester to Leeds<\/p>\n
19:15, 05 Aug 2025Updated 19:15, 05 Aug 2025<\/p>\n
A Trans Pennine Express train (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Thousands of passengers are closer to faster, more frequent and reliable trains across the North, says the government. This should happen after the electrification of the Church Fenton to York rail line which was completed today (5 August 2025).<\/p>\n
It was part of the \u00a311 billion government-funded Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).<\/p>\n
Faster trains will cut journey times between York<\/a> and Manchester by 10 minutes and Manchester and Leeds<\/a> from 50 minutes to 42 minutes, with up to six fast services an hour \u2013 making it easier for people to get to work, do business and travel across the region.<\/p>\n New signalling system and bridge upgrades will make trains more reliable and allow more services to run. Extensive station improvements along the route will also improve accessibility and facilities at the busiest stations across the North.<\/p>\n Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This upgrade is set to create over 5,000 jobs, support the development of 6,500 new homes and unlock commercial space across the North \u2013 driving economic growth as part of the Plan for Change<\/a>.<\/p>\n Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Today is a moment of celebration for a project that will transform train travel for millions of passengers across the North. More reliable, efficient trains are now running on 25 percent of the full TransPennine route.<\/p>\n “We are delivering on our Plan for Change by upgrading rail links across the North \u2013 slashing journey times between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.<\/p>\n “Electrification between Church Fenton and York was delivered on time and on budget, this government is investing in ambitious projects and seeing them through, delivering change in areas that desperately need it.”<\/p>\n Today\u2019s upgrade will enable electric TransPennine Express (TPE) trains to run from Manchester Victoria<\/a> to Stalybridge<\/a> and Church Fenton to York \u2013 electrifying both ends of the route.<\/p>\n Station redevelopments at York Central and Ravensthorpe will regenerate local areas and provide opportunity for 2,500 homes to be built, alongside one million square feet of commercial space and 18 acres of parkland in York and 4,000 homes at Ravensthorpe.<\/p>\n James Richardson, Managing Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “Electric trains running between York and Church Fenton is a significant step forward in the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme.We have reached a key milestone, as 25 percent of the route is now electrified, enabling greener, faster, and more reliable journeys between York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester in the future. The improvements are already bringing economic and social benefits along the route and wider communities across the North.<\/p>\n Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It\u2019s fantastic to see how the Transpennine Route Upgrade is delivering real improvements for passengers in Yorkshire. This project, which is currently on time and on budget, will provide more frequent, faster and greener trains, as well as a highly-skilled workforce for future transport projects.<\/p>\n “Investment in our rail network helps create new jobs, open up opportunities and unlock much-needed housing as we build a better-connected region that works for all. The trains will be greener too, as works completed today between York and Church Fenton contribute to the programme\u2019s aim of saving 108,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.”<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754418732_592_0_Operations-At-First-Group-Rail-Stations.jpg\")
A Trans Pennine Express train leaves Huddersfield train station in Huddersfield, (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_A-Trans-Pennine-Express-train.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
A Trans-Pennine-Express train (Image: web)<\/p>\n