A HUGE crane was brought in as engineers installed 20 pre-cast concrete beams as they worked to build a new roadbridge over a railway line in West Yorkshire.

The beams, weighing a total of 660 tonnes, have been installed in Ravensthorpe, near Dewsbury, where work is taking place on the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

Due to become operational in 2026, the structure will allow two additional railway lines to be installed through the new station and wider area, enabling faster trains to overtake slower ones which will reduce journey times and boost services.

TRU will build an entirely new station in Ravensthorpe, 200m away from its current position, which will have step-free access and a footbridge with lifts, a new forecourt area and new drop-off facilities.

The giant crane in Ravensthorpe at the weekendThe giant crane in Ravensthorpe at the weekend (Image: T&A) Known as 'Ravensthorpe triangle', the work is one of the biggest civil-engineering sites in the country.

Elsewhere, TRU engineers safely demolished lattice footbridge at Heaton Lodge Junction, which is another major project along the route.

The bridge was part of an existing public right of way which crosses the railway to the west of Battyeford, connecting the tow path of the Calder and Hebble Navigation Battye Cut to Helm Lane.

The now-demolished footbridge at Heaton Lodge Junction The now-demolished footbridge at Heaton Lodge Junction (Image: T&A) This path crossed over the down main line via the now-demolished wrought iron lattice girder footbridge and under the up main and Calder Valley lines via a subway.

Sadly, the footbridge - popular over the years with rail enthusiasts - did not provide adequate vertical or horizontal clearance to safely accommodate electrification of the existing line.

Therefore, it will be replaced with a new structure that provides clearances, restoring the public right of way when the work is completed.

Two railway eras contrast sharply as a modern Transpennine Express train passes beneath the now-demolished footbridge, which has stood for decadesTwo railway eras contrast sharply as a modern Transpennine Express train passes beneath the now-demolished footbridge, which has stood for decades (Image: T&A) The TRU delivery team comprises of a number of contractor companies, including BAM Nuttall, who played a key role in this weekend’s Ravensthorpe work.

Speaking of the Ravensthorpe project, Chris Usher, Major Civils Integrated Delivery Team Director for TRU West Alliance, said: “I am incredibly proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by everyone involved in the successful delivery of this weekend’s works.

“These achievements reflect the team’s ability to deliver complex works safely, and to a high standard. I’m grateful to all those whose passion and commitment are helping turn the TRU vision into a reality for communities across the North.”

Andrew Campbell, Sponsor for TRU, said: “We’d like to thank the local community for their understanding as we took another step in delivering upgrades throughout the area this weekend, and our colleagues at Northern and TransPennine Express for their role in minimising disruption.

An overhead view of the huge crane in action at RavensthorpeAn overhead view of the huge crane in action at Ravensthorpe (Image: TRU) “The work we completed in such a pivotal location for the programme means we move closer to improved rail travel through West Yorkshire and beyond.

"To minimise disruption over the weekend train operators Northern and TransPennine Express worked together to free up capacity on the Calder Valley diversionary route and help keep customers on the move.

Chris Nutton, Major Projects & TRU Director at TransPennine Express, said: “I’m really pleased with the progress that’s being made at Ravensthorpe; last weekend’s work was vital for the delivery of the benefits TRU will bring to the North.

“To accommodate this work, services on our North Route ran to an amended timetable, with a rail replacement bus operation in place to ensure our customers could travel between Huddersfield and Dewsbury, Leeds and Wakefield.

“We also worked together with Northern, with TPE picking up local services between Manchester Victoria and Huddersfield via the Calder Valley, enabling Northern to strengthen services between Leeds and Manchester Victoria via Halifax.

“The delivery of this showed our dedication to go the extra mile for our customers and I want to thank everyone involved for making it happen.”