Batley station gains step-free access as TRU footbridge and lifts open

Network Rail has opened a new footbridge with lifts at Batley station in West Yorkshire, replacing the old subway and giving passengers step-free access between both platforms for the first time.

The work forms part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), and Network Rail said on 6 November that it follows the completion of similar upgrades at Morley and Mirfield.

Jonathan Hepton, project sponsor for TRU, said: "Improving accessibility across the Transpennine route is a core benefit of the programme, so this is another major milestone for us."

While the lifts are now in use, Network Rail said work continues on the wider station enhancements. The next stage includes new waiting shelters, the reopening of the station car park with three new accessible parking spaces and environmental enhancements, which it expects to complete during spring 2027.

The summer blockade

Much of the progress at Batley was made during a 28-day line closure between Dewsbury and Morley in the summer, according to Network Rail, which also allowed track renewals and the installation of overhead line equipment.

TRU had announced on 30 April that the phase would run from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 27 June, focusing on Batley and Dewsbury. When Network Rail reported its completion on 29 June, it said the blockade had delivered more than 5km of track renewals and more than 800m of drainage, installed 66 overhead line equipment (OLE) masts and fitted 43 OLE foundations. TRU's April page had planned for 67 masts.

The same blockade included the reconstruction of Jack Lane bridge in Dewsbury, with strengthening works that Network Rail said will enable faster and longer trains.

In June, Network Rail said it looked forward to unveiling a transformed Batley station with its new footbridge, lifts and platforms by the end of summer. The lifts opening was announced on 6 November, with the remaining station works now scheduled for spring 2027.

Timeline at Batley

Network Rail said on 15 September 2025 that the station car park would close from 22 September until summer 2026 to allow piling works for the new footbridge. Alternative parking for up to 20 vehicles was provided at Station Road car park in Batley. The 6 November release now lists the car park reopening among the works expected in spring 2027.

Network Rail had scheduled preparatory works for platform extensions at Batley and Dewsbury for weekdays from 6 to 24 October 2025. The Batley platforms are being refurbished and extended to 150m to allow longer trains to call, while TRU said Dewsbury's platforms are being extended to 200m.

Station	Extended platform length (m)
Batley	150
Dewsbury	200

TRU has worked in Batley before. It replaced Lady Anne level crossing with a fully accessible footbridge just under 40m long, delivered in sections by road and opened on 19 June 2023.

The wider programme

Carl Rowland, TRU Customer Lead, said: "The opening of the new lifts and footbridge at Batley station is a fantastic milestone to celebrate for both Northern and the TRU programme."

Batley follows Morley and Mirfield in receiving step-free upgrades under TRU, according to Network Rail. It announced on 30 January 2026 that Mirfield had a new footbridge and lifts for the first time in its history, describing the programme at the time as the £11bn Transpennine Route Upgrade. Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said in April that TRU had already delivered a new station at Morley and a remodelled, fully accessible station at Mirfield.

Network Rail said 25% of the route is now electrified, with electric services running between Manchester and Stalybridge, and York and Church Fenton. TRU will improve all 23 stations on the route and there are currently 70 worksites across the 70-mile line.

The programme has more than 5,000 staff, 85% of them from within 40 miles of the route, and Network Rail expects it to create more than 8,000 jobs over its duration. Milestones to date include a fully accessible platform 2 at Castleford and a £100m upgrade of diversionary routes.

After the June blockade, Network Rail said TRU's focus shifted to weekend works at Huddersfield station across July and August ahead of 16 days of works in September.