Major rail delays and replacement buses expected in Yorkshire for next two weekends
Railway improvement work over the next two weekends is set to cause major delays for passengers in West Yorkshire.
Network Rail is carrying out track renewal, tunnel repairs and groundwork engineering on the weekends of July 18 and 19 and July 25 and 26.
The work at Menston and nearby areas means that rail replacement buses will be in operation for some journeys, Network Rail said.
New rails and sleepers will be installed along almost 1.9km of the line.
Brickwork and stone repairs will be undertaken along 500 metres at Esholt Tunnel to keep the structure in sound condition and avoid future maintenance issues which could impact train performance.
Elsewhere on the line, there will be vegetation management and work to stabilise embankments, reducing the risk of ground movement and keeping the track safe and reliable.
As a result of the work, on Saturday July 18 and Saturday July 25, buses will replace trains between Ilkley and Shipley.
On Sunday July 19 and Sunday July 26, LNER trains that usually start or terminate at Bradford Forster Square will instead start and terminate at Leeds.
Northern will have rail replacement buses between Bradford Forster Square and Shipley/Ilkley.
In addition, trains between Leeds and Skipton will call additionally at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge, trains between Bradford Forster Square and Skipton will be diverted to start/terminate at Leeds and will not call at Frizinghall and trains between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square will not run.
Trains between Leeds/Bradford Forster Square and Ilkley will not run.
Karen Duffy, Network Rail operations director, said: “Across the next two weekends, we’re carrying out essential track renewal, tunnel repairs and earthwork improvements to keep the railway safe and reliable for passengers. We’re sorry to anyone whose journey is affected and grateful to passengers and residents for their patience while we complete these upgrades, which will help deliver smoother and more dependable journeys in the future.”
A spokesperson for LNER and Northern added: “We’re advising customers to check before they travel during this engineering work and allow extra time for their journeys, as some services will be amended and rail replacement coaches will be in operation on some routes.”