The UK’s Transpennine Route Upgrade will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys across the north of England.
Jacobs has been selected by Network Rail as technical services integration delivery partner for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a transformative, major programme of railway improvements planned to deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys along a 70-mile route with 23 stations, stretching from York to Manchester, via Leeds and Huddersfield across the north of England.
As the integration delivery partner, Jacobs is sole provider on an eight-year framework providing technical system integration services to the TRU programme during development and construction. Jacobs’ scope of services includes technical system integration, custodian of scope, cross-project integration, technical change control, development engineering and design and programme business case production.
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade will deliver significant benefits by moving more essential goods by rail, bringing better journeys to passengers, advancing decarbonisation efforts and fostering community prosperity,” said Jacobs executive vice president Kate Kenny. “Our extensive experience on TRU and other essential rail investments will support a sustainable approach that meets the needs of the community,” she said.
TRU is being delivered by several organisations, including Jacobs, and is focused on a common mission to deliver the greatest value to communities along the route. Jacobs has provided various asset management services, including a system level analysis to inform the route’s performance modelling, developing a common data environment and a digital twin for the programme.
Jacobs also managed the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) infrastructure assessment for the Leeds station capacity improvement, the first TRU project to achieve the BREEAM Infrastructure Excellent rating. In 2024, Jacobs helped Network Rail deliver the first electric trains running east out of Manchester and manage a series of complex closures along the route to enable key improvement works.
Jacobs also supports the TRU social impact programme. Between April 2019 and October 2024, the programme delivered a significant social return on investment through the employment of 320 apprenticeships, engagement of more than 54,000 young people in STEAM (science technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) delivery of 19,900+ days of work experience, and $693m (£547m) spent with local businesses and $353m (£279m) with SME companies.