The Transpennine Route Upgrade Uses Asite to Support £2.9 billion Programme of Railway Improvements

The Asite Platform has digitalized project processes and connected data across the multi-billion-pound program.

Asite, the world’s leading data platform for the built environment, is proud to announce its partnership in the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) program. This system of railway improvements will bring better connections in the North between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.   

TRU is a transformative, multi-billion-pound railway program that will bring more frequent, faster, and greener trains. The 70-mile Transpennine railway, which serves 23 stations, crosses over and dips under dozens of bridges and viaducts, moves through six miles of tunnels, and passes over 29 level crossings. It will support economic growth in the North and deliver real benefits for passengers and communities. 

The work is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Network Rail through dedicated alliances and project teams. Several organisations make up TRU, and each one plays a crucial role in making it a world-class operation.  

Asite’s partnership with TRU started in 2020, and it continues to thrive today.  

TRU uses the award-winning Asite Common Data Environment (CDE) to standardize, integrate, and manage its data, alongside the Asite Contract Management solution to manage the alliance’s contracts. In addition, the Asite Tender Management solution was recently implemented to optimize TRU’s supply chain processes.   

Richard Harrison, Director of Customer Success at Asite, said:  

“Our partnership with the TRU team could not be stronger. 

To date, we’ve helped the team deliver significant improvements across the North of England as part of the TRU program. We have supported their data management at all levels, from transforming their offline process using custom forms to integrating financial data between alliance partners. 

The team at TRU are a perfect example of keeping at the forefront of digitalization and evolving their processes, introducing technology to meet demand and ease the burden of managing and delivering a vast project.  

As the TRU program continues, we’re looking forward to supporting the project team in creating and delivering a world-class railway system.” 

Colin Bagley, Business Systems Lead at TRU East Alliance said:  

“The Asite Platform is a key component of our business systems strategy which strives to create world-class, shared, and interconnected systems that serve the common interests of all Alliance partners. 

It has been particularly refreshing to work with a partner who remains committed to the programme long after a contract has been signed, The Asite team have remained fully engaged throughout.” 

Asite’s partnership with the TRU alliance will see the Asite Platform drive improvements to the TRU program as well as increase collaboration, streamline processes, and cut through unnecessary complications.   

TRU is speeding up journeys by upgrading and remodeling tracks, installing new signaling systems, and upgrading railway bridges.  

The whole railway route will also be electrified. This will enable greener trains to run, reducing the railway’s carbon footprint and improving air quality. In addition, TRU is looking at opportunities to run more freight trains on the route that move critical goods by rail—helping to take lorries off the roads.  

Key stations are also being upgraded to improve passengers’ travelling experience and create more accessible stations.  

Asite will work alongside the TRU team to ensure they achieve project excellence, providing them with the tools needed to deliver this necessary and transformative work plan.