en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Tru East Alliance has secured a £160 million contract to build a new train maintenance depot in Shipley as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme.

The alliance, comprising Network Rail, VolkerRail, Murphy, Siemens Mobility, and Arcadis, will deliver the project through an integrated design and construction approach that combines the expertise of all partners.

The Shipley Train Care Centre will support the operation of Northern's electric train fleet, helping to improve the reliability and resilience of passenger services and creating conditions for the implementation of subsequent phases of the programme.

The depot will provide new storage, maintenance, and servicing facilities for trains on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, supporting more efficient and reliable services across the region.

VolkerRail will be responsible for track, signalling, overhead line equipment installation, and low-voltage system work; Murphy will undertake lineside civil engineering and major earthworks; Siemens Mobility will provide high-voltage power systems, overhead line design, and telecommunications infrastructure. The project will install the first railway charging converter (RCC) synchronised with the main grid, enabling the depot's 25kV overhead line system to be powered directly from the local 11kV grid connection.

Arcadis serves as the project's principal designer, responsible for ensuring the safe and coordinated design of the scheme.

A statement from VolkerRail noted that the project will mark "a significant milestone in building a more modern and reliable railway in the North," adding: "These early activities demonstrate the alliance's execution speed, highlighting how collaborative working can effectively advance complex infrastructure while supporting local employment, skills, and investment as the project progresses."

Work has already begun, with extensive preparatory activities completed over the past year, including site clearance, removal of contaminated materials, site preparation, and major infrastructure works such as the diversion of underground sewer pipes and the construction of two large retaining walls.

James Ramsden, Director of the Tru East Alliance, said: "Securing this contract marks a significant milestone for the Tru East Alliance and reflects the strong collaborative approach we have built with Network Rail, Northern, and the wider business. This project demonstrates the value of working as an integrated alliance to deliver complex infrastructure that benefits passengers, communities, and the wider railway network."

Construction of the main depot building has already started, followed by the installation of all supporting systems and infrastructure through to early 2028. The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and become operational in early 2028.

The depot will initially support Northern's electric fleet while Tru East carries out major disruptive access works at Neville Hill in Leeds to upgrade infrastructure.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a multi-billion-pound programme aimed at improving connectivity between major towns and cities including Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, transforming travel across the North.