Transpennine Route Upgrade Launches 2026 Community Fund

Funding available to support local projects near railway works

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has announced the opening of its third annual Community Fund, offering £270,000 to support projects that benefit communities along the route. The fund aims to assist groups located close to the railway line undergoing significant upgrade works between Manchester and York.

Grant details and eligibility

Grants of £5,000 are available through the fund, with the possibility of an uplift to £10,000 where applicants can demonstrate that additional funding would substantially increase the impact of their project.

Eligible applicants include community groups, schools, and charities situated within five kilometres of the Transpennine route or the Shipley TrainCare Centre, which is a key TRU worksite. The fund prioritises projects that:

• Improve community spaces
• Create skills and employment opportunities
• Support disadvantaged, under-represented, or marginalised groups

Additional consideration will be given to projects in communities most affected by TRU construction activity. An interactive map showing the eligible funding area and the most impacted communities is available online.

Application process and deadlines

Applications opened on 28 September and will close on Friday 9 October, although early submission is advised as high demand may lead to the application window closing sooner.

To apply, organisations must first create a free account with Neighbourly, the platform administering the fund on behalf of TRU. Creating an account takes approximately five minutes and allows applicants to receive notifications about the fund.

Once the application window opens, organisations can submit their applications through the TRU Community Fund page on the Neighbourly website.

Additional support and information

An optional online briefing session is scheduled for Monday 21 September from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. This session will provide details on the application process and eligibility criteria. Interested parties can register to attend via the TRU Community Fund Online Briefing link.

Further information, including frequently asked questions, is available on the fund’s website. For specific enquiries about the application process, organisations can contact Neighbourly at community@neighbourly.com.

Source: Doing Good Leeds