Leeds York Train Disruption via Garforth This Weekend 2026

Key points

• Rail services between Leeds and York via Garforth are suspended this weekend due to planned engineering works linked to the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU).
• No trains will be running on the Leeds–York line via Garforth; passengers are being advised to use designated rail‑replacement buses instead.
• Buses will operate between Leeds and York and between Leeds and Selby, with journey times noticeably longer than under normal train conditions.
• The disruption is scheduled for two days, typically Saturday and Sunday, as part of a wider series of TRU‑related works across Yorkshire routes.
• Multiple operators – including Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, LNER, Grand Central and Lumo – are affected, with some services rerouted or amended.
• Network Rail has urged passengers to plan ahead, check individual operator websites, and allow extra time for journeys.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) – April 3, 2026 – Rail travellers between Leeds and York via Garforth face a full weekend of disruption as engineering measures bring the line to a standstill and buses replace all trains on the route. As reported by Network Rail and National Rail, buses will be laid on between Leeds and York and between Leeds and Selby, with journey times expected to be significantly longer than usual.

Engineers say the work forms part of the ongoing TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which aims to improve track layouts, signalling and overhead power systems on one of the busiest corridors in the North. Operators including Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, LNER and Grand Central have confirmed they will be unable to run normal services over the affected section, with rail replacement coaches or alternative routes put in place where possible.

What is happening on the Leeds–York line?

Rail services between Leeds and York via Garforth are being suspended for a full weekend while Network Rail carries out scheduled engineering work. According to a Network Rail spokesperson quoted in coverage by Yahoo News UK, “no trains will operate between Leeds and York via Garforth” during the planned blockade period.

Instead, rail‑replacement buses will run between Leeds and York and between Leeds and Selby, effectively substituting the entire rail section that would normally serve passengers heading to and from York, Selby and intermediate stations.

National Rail’s disruption page notes that passengers should expect longer journey times and fewer direct services, with some trains diverted via alternative routes such as Castleford, adding extra minutes to typical trip durations.

Why the line is closed this weekend

The closure is tied to the TransPennine Route Upgrade programme, a multi‑year project designed to modernise infrastructure between major northern hubs. As highlighted by Network Rail in its press briefing, the weekend work is one of several planned blocks required to upgrade signalling, track geometry and overhead electrification on the Leeds–York corridor.

Engineers say such weekend closures are necessary to enable safe access to the track and to complete complex modifications without the risk of clashes with live services.

A Network Rail media statement notes that the pattern of “weekend blockades” is intended to minimise long‑term disruption compared with spreading similar work across multiple mid‑week days.

Passengers affected are encouraged to consult detailed notices on operator and National Rail websites, which outline exact times of the blockade, alternative coaches and any changes to fares or ticket restrictions.

Which operators and routes are affected?

Rail liaison teams have confirmed that the Leeds–York via Garforth works impact several train operators running through Yorkshire. As reported by Network Rail’s media centre, services affected include Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, LNER, Grand Central and Lumo, with some routes seeing cancelled or rerouted trains while others are replaced by buses.

Northern has stated that buses will cover the Leeds–York and Leeds–Selby sections, with usual stopping patterns altered or suspended.

TransPennine Express, in its public‑information notice, confirms that its own services between Leeds and York will be replaced by road transport, with passengers advised to allow extra time for connections.

CrossCountry and LNER, which run longer‑distance services through the corridor, have also indicated that some departures will be cancelled or operate to amended timetables, with through‑tickets potentially requiring alternative routings. York‑based coverage by local outlets such as YorkMix has noted that peak‑time commuters and airport‑bound travellers should expect particular delays and crowding on substitute buses.

How are passengers being advised to travel?

Transport authorities and train operators are urging passengers travelling between Leeds, York and Selby this weekend to plan ahead and, if possible, avoid peak periods. National Rail’s engineering‑works page for the Leeds–York/Selby route advises:

“Check your journey on the day of travel and allow extra time, as bus replacement services may be slower than trains.”

As flagged by Network Rail in its regional briefing, passengers should verify the correct bus pick‑up points at Leeds, York and Selby, which may differ from normal rail platforms and can involve off‑site or temporary bus stands.

The same guidance stresses that standard rail tickets are normally valid on replacement buses, but season‑ticket holders and advance‑purchase customers should confirm any specific conditions on operator websites.

Northern’s customer‑information portal notes that capacity on replacement coaches may be limited compared with trains, especially during morning and evening rush hours, and that priority should be given to passengers with mobility needs and those travelling with small children.

What this means for commuters and event‑day travellers

Commuters who rely on the Leeds–York via Garforth route are likely to face noticeably longer journeys this weekend, with road‑based travel potentially adding 20–40 minutes to typical trip times. Local‑news coverage from York highlights that the disruption will coincide with normal weekend retail and leisure traffic, which could increase congestion around bus pick‑up zones and station forecourts.

YorkMix quoted a local rail user expressing concern about the impact on people travelling to York for events, sporting fixtures and airport connections.

The publication reported that some passengers feel the repeated weekend closures are becoming “wearying” but acknowledged that the TRU works are intended to produce long‑term speed and reliability improvements.

Network Rail has reiterated that while the short‑term impact is unavoidable, the TRU project is expected to reduce journey times, increase capacity and improve punctuality on the Leeds–York and wider TransPennine corridor once completed.

How long will the disruption last?

The current engineering blockade is scheduled for a single weekend, typically Saturday and Sunday, in line with earlier TRU‑related notices for the Leeds–York/Selby sector.

As detailed on National Rail’s engineering‑works calendar for the Leeds region, the specific dates for this weekend’s closure are listed under the “Leeds and York / Selby” entry, with the full block running from first service on Saturday until the re‑opening of the line on Sunday evening.

Network Rail has warned passengers that additional weekend closures may follow over the coming months as further TRU tasks are completed, and that similar “bus replacement” patterns could recur on this route and adjacent lines.

The organisation says it will publish advance notices via its website, social‑media channels and partner operators so that regular travellers can adjust their plans accordingly.

What alternatives exist for Leeds–York and Leeds–Selby journeys?

For those travelling between Leeds and York or Leeds and Selby this weekend, buses are the primary alternative, but several other options are available depending on passenger needs and ticket types.

National Rail’s guidance notes that some services may be rerouted via Castleford or other junctions, leading to longer but still rail‑based journeys, while other passengers may choose to switch to local buses or coach services where these are faster or more convenient.

York‑area reports emphasise that local bus networks around York and Selby can provide connections into town centres, but may not always align with the timetables of the rail‑replacement coaches.

Northern’s “Check Before You Travel” page also reminds passengers that journey planners on operator and National Rail sites can suggest mixed‑mode itineraries (e.g., train to an intermediate station plus local bus) to help reduce overall disruption.

In cases where rail replacement is not strictly necessary – for example, flexible leisure trips – Network Rail suggests considering travel on weekdays or different days of the weekend to avoid peak congestion on substitute services.

What do rail operators and authorities say?

Network Rail has repeatedly stressed that the weekend closure is planned and necessary rather than the result of an emergency or fault. As stated in its regional‑media release,

“the work being carried out forms part of our long‑term upgrade programme to improve journeys for passengers across Yorkshire,”

and the organisation apologises in advance for the inconvenience caused.

Northern, in a statement quoted by local‑news outlets, said:

“We are working closely with Network Rail to operate the replacement bus services as smoothly as possible and to keep passengers informed of any changes on the day.”

TransPennine Express has similarly told passengers that they will provide live updates via its app and on‑train announcements where relevant services are amended.

Passengers are reminded that complaints and service‑feedback channels remain open and that operators encourage reports of overcrowding, missed connections or accessibility issues on replacement coaches so that measures can be reviewed for future blockades.

How can passengers stay up to date?

To avoid confusion on the day, passengers are advised to treat each journey as if it were a new disruption and to re‑check details before setting off. National Rail’s disruption portal and individual operator websites list exact times of the closure, bus routes, and instructions for picking up replacement coaches at Leeds, Garforth, Selby and York.

Network Rail’s media centre notes that last‑minute adjustments can occur due to weather, safety checks or unforeseen issues, and that passengers should monitor operators’ Twitter/X feeds and station‑display boards for real‑time updates.