Road and rail disruption during bridge upgrade

The railway bridge deck will be replaced over the A162 at Barkston Ash

Rail passengers and drivers heading between York and Leeds face disruption from Sunday as "major" rail improvement work takes place.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) project, running until 3 June, will see the railway bridge deck replaced over the A162 between Sherburn-in-Elmet and Barkston Ash, near Selby, managers said.

The A162 London Road will be closed until until 00:01 on 3 June, with diversions in place via the A1(M).

The bridge deck will be replaced between Tuesday and Friday, with trains between Leeds and York diverted via Castleford. The line will reopen to train services on Saturday 1 June.

'Check before travelling'

Church Fenton and Ulleskelf stations will be served by replacement bus services to York, and to Micklefield for rail connections to and from Leeds.

Network Rail said the bridge, which was opened in 1869 by the North Eastern Railway, was approaching the end of its life.

The bridge deck was being replaced prior to electrification, which would see the route used by "more frequent, faster, heavier passenger and freight trains", it said.

TransPennine Express major projects director Chris Nutton said: "The bridge work taking place at Barkston Ash between Micklefield and Church Fenton is essential for the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

“While this work is being carried out, TransPennine Express will operate an amended timetable on our north route services and divert trains between Leeds and York via a diversionary route, with slightly longer journey times.

"We'd like to advise customers to check before they travel.”

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