Our work supporting Network Rail in Crossgates, Leeds
As part of Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade in the Crossgates area, we are required to relocate one of our gas pipes on Austhorpe Lane, Crossgates.
The pipes are close to the railway bridge on Austhorpe Lane, and this bridge is being rebuilt by Network Rail to accommodate the overhead line equipment which will be used to power electric trains on this route in the future.
A new bridge will be installed at the same location, and our gas main will be diverted under the rail line via a tunnel. This will allow Network Rail to progress their work with this vital project, which will deliver more frequent, faster, greener trains on an improved, more reliable railway.
Gas supplies to homes and businesses in the area will not be affected.
We’ll be providing updates on the work on this page. For further information about the work please contact our Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 and select option 4 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.
Latest update
Our works to prepare for the relocation of the gas pipe are now ongoing.
Our contractors are now cutting back trees to create a safe workspace for our engineers, installing root protection for trees which are being kept, constructing the site access road and welfare area and installing perimeter fencing.
Two individual trees and some smaller foliage will be removed, however all remaining tree features will be retained and protected.
The installation of the access road will require a temporary lane closure on Austhorpe Lane – exact timings TBC but advance warning signage will be installed to inform motorists of the work.
Work will pause for the festive period between 19 December and 5 January, during which time the site will remain secure and be monitored. In January, we will begin excavation on the south side of the railway.
During this work, some noise is expected, however noise levels will be monitored and where possible, controlled using appropriate mitigation.
Gas supplies to homes and businesses will not be affected.
We would also like to invite you to a community drop-in event where we will join colleagues from TRU to discuss the works and answer any questions you may have. Our Project Manager Aaron Jardine and Graduate Project Manager Hannah Keegan (who you can find out more on in the ‘Meet the Team’ section) will be there.
This will take place on Tuesday 9 December, 3pm-7pm at Crossgates Recreational Hall, Poplar Avenue, Leeds LS15 8EB.
If you have any questions about the work please contact NGN’s Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 or customercare@northerngas.co.uk or the Network Rail National Helpline on 03457 114141 or visit https://www.networkrail.co.uk/contact-us/
For more information about the Transpennine Route Upgrade, visit https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/
Help and Support
For further information about the work please contact our Customer Care Team on 0800 040 7766 and select option 4 or email: customercare@northerngas.co.uk.
Our phase of the work will be concentrated on the road bridge over the railway on Austhorpe Lane, Crossgates.
Our phase of construction works will start in Autumn 2025, with the works expected to continue through to Summer 2026 in tandem with Network Rail’s works on the bridge as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
The work being carried out by Northern Gas Networks will consist of two phases. The first phase will involve the construction of shafts and a tunnel to facilitate the below ground crossing of the rail lines. In order to carry out this phase of the work safely and efficiently, a lane closure on Austhorpe Lane will be in place in October for approximately two weeks, with temporary traffic lights used – exact dates TBC.
The second phase, which is planned to begin in Spring 2026, will be to undertake the diversion of the pipeline into the new tunnel. This work will be carried out within Network Rail’s temporary road closure on Austhorpe Lane, with a clearly signed diversion in place, likely to be via Station Road – exact dates TBC.
We have carefully planned the work to minimise the impact on homes and businesses in the vicinity. We’ll be using noise cancelling technology to keep disruption to a minimum and access will be maintained throughout our work. The gas supplies to homes and businesses in the area will not be affected.
In order for engineers to carry out our work safely and efficiently, it will be necessary to close a lane on Austhorpe Lane for around 2 weeks, with temporary traffic lights used – exact dates TBC.
We will carry out the remainder of our work within Network Rail’s traffic management.
We have completed an initial noise assessment in the area prior to the works being carried out.
Once the work starts, we will be closely monitoring the noise from the site. We have plans to put in acoustic fencing, use low noise generators and will switch off all machinery if not in use.
We will limit any deliveries to non-peak times and aim to work during normal working hours.
We’re committed to clear communication throughout our work. As well as letter drops to customers in the area close to the works, we’ve held a drop in session for people in the local area to meet the team and find out more about the work. We’re also continuing to engage with stakeholders, including councillors in the local area to understand opportunities to support the local community.
It will unfortunately be necessary for us to remove some established trees and vegetation to clear the working area required for the rail upgrade. We have kept this to a minimum by creating a separate compound away from the work face.
We’re committed to carrying out the work in the most environmentally responsible and sustainable way possible and we have worked closely with teams of ecologists and arborologists, and all clearing and reinstatement works will be in keeping with the Leeds City Council requirements for the development. This may mean that some trees are replanted in alternative locations if suitable locations cannot be found on this site.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact our Customer Care team on 0800 040 7766 and select option 4 or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk
If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide poisoning you must call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
Aaron Jardine
Aaron has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has worked at Northern Gas Networks for six years and is experienced in leading a number of key projects. He will be regularly on site on Austhorpe Lane leading the team.
Hannah Keegan
Hannah has degrees in Forensic Science and Chemical and Process Engineering, and joined our team in February 2025. She’s already been heavily involved in various large projects and has also played a key role in engagement with customers.
Key facts about the project
This project involves the reconstruction of the railway bridge over Austhorpe Lane, Crossgates, as it is currently too low to accommodate the overhead line equipment which will be used to power electric trains on this route in the future. The electrification of the line between York, Leeds and Manchester will provide the power for cleaner, quieter electric trains.
The existing bridge (pictured above) will be demolished and a new road and footbridge will be installed at the same location. Our gas main (pictured below) will be diverted under the rail line via a bored tunnel.
We expect that there will be some slight disruption throughout the duration of the works to the wooded area on the southern embankment of the tracks. To ensure the safety of our teams on the site, it will also be necessary to put temporary traffic lights on Austhorpe Lane for around 2 weeks in October – exact dates TBC.
Permission to carry out this work was granted by the Secretary of State for Transport under the Network Rail (Leeds to Micklefield Enhancements) Transport and Works Act Order 2024.
More about the works
To facilitate Network Rail’s upgrade works on Austhorpe Lane, a diversion is required for the existing medium pressure Dewsbury to Crossgates gas pipeline, including its railway overcrossing.
The pipeline currently runs underground along Austhorpe Lane, with two above-ground sections: one to the north of the existing bridge, and one forming the overcrossing parallel to the railway line. A diversion is necessary, as the current pipeline route would obstruct the proposed electrification infrastructure and the widened carriageway and bridge if left in place.
The works for Northern Gas will commence September 2025 and will continue until July 2026. Network Rail will start their works in June 2026.
The tech bit...
We will construct two shafts and tunnel between the north side and south side of the road.
Once the shafts are constructed the tunneling works will begin, using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) like this:
The TBM forms the tunnel which is then sealed with grout:
The gas pipeline will be diverted through the tunnel beneath the railway and the old pipeline that runs across the bridge will be removed. This will not affect the gas supply to any homes or businesses.
Upon completion, the shaft and tunnels will be backfilled and the area will be reinstated.