A TransPennine Express Nova 1 train in Leeds. Credit Tony Miles

TPE issues travel warning ahead of Sheffield’s Tramlines festival

TransPennine Express (TPE) is asking Sheffield festival goers to think carefully about their travel this weekend.

Tramlines, a major three-day music and comedy festival in Sheffield starts today, Friday, but with railway engineering work and potential service cancellations, those heading to the festival are being asked to take extra time to think about their journeys.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TPE, said: “This weekend is going to be difficult for people travelling to Sheffield, particularly from the north west or from West Yorkshire.

“Engineering work means we can’t operate our trains on the usual route between Manchester and Sheffield on (the Hope Valley line) and ongoing issues with staff sickness means our replacement services via Huddersfield will not operate as frequently as we had planned.

“Any services we do operate will be extremely busy and we are advising customers to think carefully about their journeys and, where possible, to consider alternative plans.”

Kathryn added: “We are still working through the full impact of the issues we are likely to experience this weekend and will publish a full list of the Saturday services we are cancelling on Friday evening. Similarly, we will publish Sunday’s cancellations on Saturday night.

“Sadly, I know many people will have already planned their travel and I’m sorry for any disruption caused by the issues this weekend.”

TPE’s amended services will be published via the website (tpexpress.co.uk) and up-to-the-minute train information can be found via National Rail Enquiries.