Kirklees Council has appointed rail consultancy SLC to prepare the Outline Business Case for improvements on the Penistone Line, which runs between Huddersfield and Sheffield. The line serves major towns and smaller stations across South and West Yorkshire, providing access to employment, education, and leisure facilities.
The business case will examine infrastructure upgrades, including faster trains, track doubling on the northern section to allow two trains per hour in both directions, and station modernisation to enhance accessibility and passenger experience. Proposed improvements align with the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade, which aims to improve services between Huddersfield, Manchester, and York.
The initiative forms part of Kirklees Council’s strategy to strengthen regional connectivity, support economic growth, and improve transport reliability. The upgrades are expected to enhance travel times, increase service frequency, and create opportunities across education, employment, and local services.
