Network Rail (NR) procured a multi-disciplinary programme of works and ancillary services and supplies relating to the West of Leeds element of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

The West of Leeds element relates to the upgrade of the route between Leeds and Stalybridge with further interventions between Manchester and Stalybridge. The contract was awarded in April 2017 to an alliance comprising BAM Nuttall, Amey Rail Limited, Amey OWR Limited and Ove Arup and Partners, known as Transpire.

The overall scope of the TRU programme requires the following outputs:

— achieving capacity,

— journey time,

— electrification and interchange improvements,

— and enhancing or maintaining the reliability of the railway asset within the Transpennine Rail Corridor.

The TRU programme includes:

(i) electrification of the Transpennine Route from Stalybridge to York/Selby;

(ii) increased capacity between Manchester and York; and

(iii) Journey Time performance improvement between Manchester and York.