Disruption alert for Rotherham rail travellers setting out on bank holiday trips next month
RAIL travellers heading north from Rotherham have been given early warning that they may get caught up in rail improvement works over the two May bank holiday weekends.
Major rail improvement work between York and Northallerton on the East Coast Main Line between York and Northallerton will affect services during the bank holiday weekends of May 2-4 (May Day) and May 23-25 (Spring Bank).
The work includes the installation of bridge beams at Landing Lane, York, renewal of three sets of points at Tollerton, landslip mitigation work in the Tollerton area, and drainage renewal along 955 metres of the line at Chapman’s Bridge, near Shipton.
The work means changes to East Coast Main Line passenger services over the two bank holiday weekends with rail replacement bus services.
Meanwhile, Transpennine Route Upgrade engineering work continues throughout May and June, affecting travel between Huddersfield and Leeds.
The travel arrangements – over both weekends unless stated – include:
- CrossCountry - Rail replacement buses will operate between York and Darlington.
- Grand Central - No service to/from Sunderland, and the following alterations: Saturday and Monday - the 11am London King’s Cross to Sunderland will terminate at York and call additionally at Doncaster, the 3.32pm Sunderland to London King’s Cross will start from York and call additionally at Doncaster; Sunday – the 12pm London King’s Cross to Sunderland will terminate at York and call additionally at Doncaster, the 2.30pm Sunderland to London King’s Cross will start from York and additionally call at Doncaster.
- LNER – Trains to and from the south will start and terminate at York, with trains to and from the north starting or terminating at Darlington or Northallerton. Rail replacement services will be in place between York, Northallerton and Darlington to assist with connections.
- Lumo – A reduced and amended train service will run between Newcastle and Edinburgh/Glasgow Queen Street only.
- Northern (May 2-4 only): A rail replacement bus service will be in place between Poppleton and York.
- TransPennine Express – No trains between York and Northallerton. Replacement buses will operate between York and Darlington/Redcar Central.
- Transpennine Route Upgrade work – On May 2/3/23 no trains will call at Huddersfield and Slaithwaite stations, with amended timetables in place; from May 4-8 there will be no services departing Huddersfield towards Dewsbury and Leeds; from April 20-May 26 Brighouse station car park will be closed to facilitate bus replacement services to and from Huddersfield.
Jason Parrish, Network Rail head of planning, said: “These improvements are an important investment in the long‑term resilience of the East Coast Main Line.
“Renewing life‑expired equipment, improving drainage and strengthening embankments all help reduce delays and protect the railway.
“While there is never a good time to close the railway, scheduling the work over the bank holidays allows us to minimise disruption and deliver best value.
“We’re grateful to passengers for their understanding while we complete this vital work.’”
A spokesperson for the train operating companies said: “We’re working closely with Network Rail to keep passengers moving while this important work takes place.
“Although journeys will take longer and involve rail replacement coaches or buses on some routes, these upgrades will mean more reliable services in the long term. We’re asking customers to plan ahead, check before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys.”