Your Complete Guide to Navigating the Transpennine Route Upgrade works at Bradley Junction and Dewsbury

Anyone who regularly travels by train between Huddersfield and Leeds will want to pay attention, as some big changes are on the horizon for May and June 2026. The railway line is getting a major upgrade, which is brilliant news for the future. But, like any big renovation project, it means a bit of short-term disruption is unavoidable. This is all part of the massive TransPennine Route Upgrade, a project designed to make train travel across the north faster and more reliable. So, let’s have a look at what’s happening, when it’s happening, and how people can plan their journeys around the upcoming work.

So, what’s all the fuss about?

Think of the railway line as the digital network in a house. Over time, it gets a bit slow and can’t handle all the new gadgets and super-fast streaming everyone wants. Eventually, it needs a complete overhaul with new wiring to make everything run smoothly. That’s pretty much what’s happening between Huddersfield and Leeds. The TransPennine Route Upgrade is carrying out a huge programme of engineering improvement work to modernise the line. This means better, more reliable journeys for everyone in the long run. To get this significant work done, sections of the track need to be closed temporarily. In railway speak, this is called a blockade. It’s the safest and quickest way to get the job done, even if it causes some temporary hassle for travellers using the regular train services.

The two big engineering blockades explained

The upcoming disruption isn’t just one single event; it’s split into two main phases, which are known as engineering blockades. They are happening one after the other throughout May and June 2026, and they will affect many of the same train routes. It's important to know which is which, so you can plan ahead.

First up is the Bradley Junction Blockade. This is focused on the area between Deighton and Mirfield. It’s scheduled to run from Saturday 2nd May to Tuesday 26th May 2026. This post will give all the key details on this first phase.

Straight after that, the Dewsbury and Batley Blockade will begin. This second phase of work will run from Saturday 30th May to Saturday 27th June 2026. More information and a full travel plan for the Dewsbury and Batley closures will be released closer to the time. For now, the focus is on getting ready for the first blockade in May.

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Your travel plan for the Bradley Junction Blockade

During the Bradley Junction Blockade, the usual timetable is out of the window. TransPennine Express has created an amended train plan and a comprehensive rail replacement bus plan to keep people moving. The arrangements are slightly different depending on whether it’s a weekday or a weekend.

Here’s a quick summary of the key dates for the first blockade:

• Bradley Junction Blockade: Saturday 2nd May – Tuesday 26th May 2026

  • Impact: Major changes to train services between Huddersfield and Leeds

• Weekday Travel: Weekdays from 2nd May – 22nd May 2026

  • Impact: Amended train schedules and replacement bus services in operation

• Weekend Travel: 4th May – 26th May 2026 (including Bank Holiday Monday 25th May)

  • Impact: Mainly replacement bus services on affected routes

• Special Date: Sunday 24th May 2026

  • Impact: Not part of the main weekend plan – different travel arrangements in place (check before travelling)

The main thing to remember is that on most days during the Bradley Junction Blockade, there will be changes. The weekend works, in particular, will see a significant number of trains replaced by bus services. This includes the Bank Holiday on Monday, 25th May, a day when many people will be travelling. The one exception is Sunday, 24th May, when a different schedule will be in place. It's really important for passengers to check their specific journey details online before heading out.

All about the rail replacement bus services

When the trains can’t run, the buses step in. A rail replacement bus service is exactly what it sounds like: a coach or bus that follows the train route as closely as possible, stopping at the affected stations. During the Bradley Junction Blockade, these bus services will be the main way to travel between certain stations on the line connecting Huddersfield and Leeds. While these services are designed to keep everyone moving, it’s good to remember that journeys will likely take longer than the train. There might be a bit of waiting around, and the route might be less direct. The full rail replacement bus plan is designed to make the process as smooth as possible, but planning for extra travel time is always a smart move. If anyone has any questions or queries about the bus stops or timetables, the best place for answers will be the TransPennine Express website.

A special note on Marsden station

For anyone planning to use Marsden station during the weekend works, there's an extra point to consider. Special arrangements may be in place regarding access to the station. This could mean that the way people get to the platforms might be different from usual. For example, a particular entrance might be closed, or a temporary walkway might be in use. These changes are all about keeping the public safe while the heavy engineering work is underway nearby. Anyone travelling to or from Marsden station during the blockade should check for specific updates on station access before they travel to avoid any last-minute surprises.