Leeds train station closure: what you need to know this weekend

Passengers are being reminded to check their journey ahead of schedule. Credit: Network Rail

There will be disruption for rail passengers this weekend as no trains will be travelling to or from Leeds station before 11.40 on Sunday (31 October) due to improvement works to upgrade the track layout.

Network Rail is reminding people to check their journey ahead of schedule. It says the upgrade, which is expected to be completed early 2022, will bring more reliable services for passengers, allow more trains to run and reduce the impact of future unplanned disruption across the North.

The following changes for passengers will be in place over the weekend:

Saturday 30 October

  • Northern trains will run between York, Harrogate and Horsforth. Buses will connect passengers between Horsforth and Leeds

  • An amended timetable will run between Leeds and Skipton. Passengers will need to change trains at Skipton for services to Morecambe / Carlisle

  • There will be major changes to trains calling at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge

  • LNER services to/from Harrogate will start/end at Leeds

Sunday 31 October (before 11.40)

  • Buses will replace CrossCountry services between Wakefield Westgate and Leeds, and between York and Leeds

  • LNER trains will start/end at Doncaster, Wakefield Westgate or York. A replacement coach service will run to/from Leeds

  • TransPennine Express trains will run to an amended timetable. Replacement buses will connect passengers between Huddersfield/Selby, Huddersfield/York and Leeds/Huddersfield calling at all stops

  • Buses will replace Northern trains between Leeds and Wakefield Westgate, where passengers will be able to connect to Doncaster or Sheffield via Moorthorpe

  • Buses will replace Northern services between Leeds and Knottingley

  • Buses will replace Northern trains between Leeds and Wakefield Kirkgate, where passengers can connect to Barnsley, Sheffield and Nottingham

  • Buses will replace Northern services between Leeds and Selby

  • Buses will connect passengers between Leeds and Skipton

Sunday 31 October (after 11.40)

  • Northern trains will run between York, Harrogate and Horsforth. Buses will connect passengers between Horsforth and Leeds

  • An amended timetable will run between Leeds and Skipton. Passengers will need to change trains at Skipton for services to Morecambe / Carlisle

  • Buses will replace Northern trains between Leeds and Kirkstall Forge

  • LNER services to/from Harrogate will start/end at Leeds

Essential work is also taking place to upgrade the signalling between Huddersfield and Leeds on Sunday 7 November to make sure trains can continue running safely and reliably.

Buses will replace TransPennine Express trains to keep passengers moving, with direct services between Huddersfield and Leeds, an additional service which will run via Dewsbury, and a service which will call at all stations on the route.

Northern will continue to run trains between Huddersfield and Leeds via Bradford, but services are expected to be busy. Trains will also connect passengers between Manchester Victoria and Leeds, via Bradford.

Matt Rice, North and East Route Director for Network Rail, said: “Were making as much progress as we can on platforms 4-6 without impacting train services, but this crucial part of the project can only be done safely with no trains running to or from Leeds. Buses are in place to keep passengers moving as much as possible.

“The upgrades at Leeds station, as well as work to improve the signalling between Leeds and Huddersfield, will boost reliability for passengers and mean there are fewer late running trains.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and ask anyone who needs to travel this weekend to check their journey and allow extra time.”