Ravensthorpe station will close from Sunday 14 December until summer 2028 as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which will see a new, modernised station built 200 metres west of the current site. Rail replacement bus services will operate between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury stations throughout the closure to maintain passenger connections.

The new station will feature step-free access, a footbridge with lifts, and a modern forecourt with improved drop-off facilities. A longer island platform will accommodate longer trains, providing more seating and improved capacity for passengers.

This redevelopment is part of TRU’s broader work in the area, including the installation of a new four-track railway through both the existing station footprint and the new site. The sequencing of the project means the station cannot be built until the tracks are laid and the new Baker Viaduct is completed. The upgrades will also include overhead line equipment to power electric trains.

Work at the Ravensthorpe triangle is among the largest civil-engineering projects currently underway in the country. Key progress so far includes the installation of concrete beams for the new Calder Road bridge, the placement of piers for the Baker Viaduct, and utility diversions on Thornhill Road to support road and track realignment.

Andrew Campbell, TRU sponsor, said: “The closure of Ravensthorpe station marks the beginning of a pivotal phase for TRU and perhaps one of the most significant projects within the programme – the scale of work being undertaken in Ravensthorpe serves as a great indicator of the upgrades that will be delivered here. The four-tracking over a brand-new viaduct and through a modernised station means customers will benefit from faster, more reliable journeys across the Pennines with greater capacity. We’d like to thank the community for their understanding as we deliver these major upgrades.”

Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, added: “The work to upgrade Ravensthorpe railway station will support the efforts that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is doing to deliver a fully accessible railway that is fit for the 21st century. When Ravensthorpe station closes, from Sunday 14 December until the May timetable change in 2026, Northern will be running a rail replacement service between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury, connecting to services for a number of destinations, to ensure our customers can continue to travel with as little impact to their journeys as possible. We recognise that the work taking place will lead to extended journey times for customers travelling from Ravensthorpe and thank them for their continued patience.”

The upgrades at Ravensthorpe form a key part of TRU’s wider programme to improve reliability, capacity, and journey times across the North of England, helping to deliver a modernised railway fit for the demands of the 21st century.

Image: Network Rail