Re-open the Woodhead Line

October campaign meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:48:00 +0000

The next meeting of Re-open the Woodhead Line will be 7.30pm, Thursday 15th October at the Labour Club, Glossop.

Come along if you can!

HIGH SPEED RAIL GROUP SIGNAL THE WAY FORWARD FOR WOODHEAD

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Greengauge 21 has published a new report which recommends the construction of a high-speed (300 kph plus) rail network in the UK. This follows hard on the heels of Network Rail, which has recommended a West Coast route from London to Scotland with a loop off serving Manchester.

Greengauge is recommending the construction of high-speed lines in both the West Coast and East Coast corridors and here's the interesting bit for us, a connecting 200 kph (125 mph) line from Manchester to Sheffield. This would be based on the upgrading of existing lines.

The report does not make it clear whether they are talking about the Hope Valley route between Manchester and Sheffield or the Woodhead route but Woodhead would seem to be a strong contender as much of the route either carries very little traffic (Sheffield-Deepcar) or is currently disused. We must now wait for the Government's own company, HS2, to produce its own recommendations on the shape of a future high-speed network, due in the autumn.

Greengauge 21 is an organisation which was set up to lobby for high-speed rail in the UK. Its members are rail industry bodies and local authorities (including Sheffield City Region). The impetus for the formation of Greengauge 21 was the success of high-speed rail on the Continent, which has attracted many passengers away from air travel and helped regional economic development.

The UK currently has one high-speed line, from London St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel. The opening of the high- speed line, now dubbed "High Speed One" has helped Eurostar, the cross-Channel express passenger service operator, to improve its reliability and to attract many more passengers.

Re-open the Woodhead Line - LDF submission

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:12:00 +0000

‘Reopen the ‘Woodhead Railway Line Campaign’ have submitted a response to the consultation for the Peak District Local Development Framework.

It outlines our case for the Woodhead Rail Route with the relevant environmental, economic and social benefits the line would bring.

The full text can be read below....

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Re: Peak District National Park Authority Local Development Framework

I am writing on behalf of the ‘Reopen the ‘Woodhead Railway Line Campaign’ in response to the consultation for the Peak District Local Development Framework.

We are a group representing communities on the route, city and regions served by the route, and organisations with an interest in the development of the route.

We believe that opening the Woodhead Rail Route would make common sense as it would deliver enormous benefits including the following:

Reduced environmental impact on the National Park
Improved sustainable access to the Peak District National Park
Socio-Economic and Environmental Benefits for communities along the route
Socio-Economic and Environmental Benefits for the conurbations served at each end of the route
Improved logistical movement of people and goods across the North of England

The Consultation sets out options for adoption by the Peak District National Park Authority for its Local Development Framework. We wish for the continued adoption of Option T6.2 as set out in the consultation.

We would like the LDF to retain the strategies of

Safeguarding the Woodhead Tunnels for future rail use
Safeguarding the route between Dunford Bridge and Hadfield, likewise.

We believe that the rail route should be developable for a multi-purpose railway providing local services (improving links with local communities), longer distance services (improving Trans-Pennine accessibility) and freight services (enabling modal shift from road to rail reducing the impact of traffic).

To assist in the adverse impact of reinstatement on the National Park from re-instatement we would also like to see the LDF address the following issues:

Possible measures to preserve the Victorian tunnels so that the future use for rail travel along side or otherwise with electricity transmission is a possibility, and,
Development of potential alternative routeings for the Trans-Pennine Trail and other trails served by the line of the rail route.

Furthermore, we would argue that the re-opening of this rail route would represent “exceptional circumstances” as defined in Option T6.3. Not least of the “exceptional circumstances” being the adverse impacts of traffic and road, which are already affecting significant locations within the National Park.

If you could incorporate these issues into the LDF, you would be serving the interests of this wide group.

Yours Sincerely

Chris Bell
on behalf of the Re-Open Woodhead Group

SELRAP Autumn Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Our friends at SELRAP (the Skipton East Lancs Railway Action Partnership) are holding a conference on funding options for community rail.

It looks great, we'll be there if you'd like to join us?

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SELRAP Autum Conference

The study commissioned by SELRAP, and carried out by JMP Consulting in 2007, established that there is a strong business case for reopening the Skipton-Colne line. And within the Lancashire and Cumbria RUS, Network Rail states that the remaining obstacle to the reopening is funding. To be held on Friday November 6th at Herriots
Hotel, Skipton, SELRAP’s third major conference aims to help focus the minds of those who matter on the way forward for SELRAP.

Whilst SELRAP is at an early stage in organising this, our third major conference, our speaker list is firming up exceptionally quickly and, to date,
consists of the following:

Norman Baker MP: Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.
Stephen Hammond MP: Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport.
Adrian Shooter: Chairman Chiltern Railways.
Heidi Mottram: MD, or Paul Salveson: Head of Government and Community Strategies, Northern Rail.
Graham Botham: Commercial Scheme Sponsor, Network Rail.
Peter Frost: MD Kilbride Group (www.kilbridegroup.com).
Alan Beswick: Director JMP Consulting (www.jmp.co.uk).
Gordon Prentice MP: Pendle.
David Curry MP: Skipton.

The cost of attending this landmark conference is £20.00 for individuals and those representating voluntary organisations ..... and £50 for all others.

Lunch and refreshments are included in the price.
For more details, and to book your place, contact Peter Nowland, Delegate Coordinator, 3 Ivegate, Colne, Lancs., BB8 9QL. Tel: 07814 596297;
e mail: peterandedwina@googlemail.com

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:37:00 +0000

We're re-launching! Join our group for just £10 a year (£5 concessions) to support our work and have a say in how our group works. Subscribe here!

Re-open the Woodhead Tunnel exists:
To promote and support the re-instatement of an ideally electrified railway between Manchester and Sheffield via the Woodhead tunnel , that is open to all classes of traffic in order:

- To reduce the environmental impact of transporting people and freight across the Southern Pennines.

- To create a means of access to the northern half of the Peak District National Park for non-car users, cyclists and the disabled.

- To create improved access to employment opportunities in Yorkshire and Eastern England for the people of the eastern suburbs of Manchester and Longendale.

- To restore the competitiveness of trans-pennine rail passenger journey times.

- To make rail-freight a more attractive option by providing a more direct route between the ports on the eastern and western sides of the country.

- To provide more ready access to high speed rail passenger rail services between Eastern Scotland, London and continental Europe.

- To improve the reliability of southern trans-Pennine rail services by creating an alternative to the Hope Valley when that route is blocked.

Re-launch the Woodhead Tunnel!

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:26:00 +0000

At the last Save the Woodhead Tunnel meeting the group decided to rebrand the campaign, changing the emphasis from saving the tunnel to re-opening the line, becoming: "Re-open the Woodhead line"

Recent reports show this is a realistic possibility and we want the campaign to shift towards making that a reality.

We also decided to adopt a new constitution and to elect officers at the next meeting on Thursday 30th July 2009.

We're looking for a chair (to facilitate meetings), secretary (to ensure meetings and AGMs happen and minutes are circulated) and treasurer (to keep an eye on the bank account). It was felt that if no one was willing to take on these roles then the commitment to the campaign would be insufficient to continue and it would end.

So if you want to see the campaign continue and achieve our aim of a re-opened Woodhead line, come along to the next meeting on Thursday 30th July to the Prince of Wales Pub, Milltown, Glossop, and if possible stand as an officer - we need you!

Save the Woodhead Tunnel AGM

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:28:00 +0000

The Save the Woodhead Tunnel campaign has its Annual General Meeting at the Friends Meeting House in Mount Street, Manchester on Saturday, 23rd May 2009 @ 1.30 p.m.

At this meeting, group members will be voted to various committee posts. A constitution for the group needs to be formalised and then ratified. The constitution will enable us a group to apply for grants and charge a nominal membership fee (say £10 or £8 concession per year).

If you'd like to attend email savethewoodheadtunnel@gmail.com

Save the Woodhead Tunnel March newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:07:00 +0000

Launch of Save the Woodhead Tunnel Campaign in Yorkshire
At 3pm, Saturday 21st March 2009, Angela Smith, MP for Sheffield Hillsborough, will be speaking at the launch of the Woodhead Tunnel Yorkshire Campaign at the St Johns Community Centre, Penistone. Entrance is free to the event that includes buffet lunch and a showing of the vintage rail film, Electrics Across The Pennines. The campaign are asking local supporters, rail enthusiasts and environmentalists to turn out and show their support.

Local bypass scheme delayed
Many thanks to supporters of Save the Woodhead Tunnel campaign who made representations to 4NW asking for the Mottram-Tintwistle bypass to be delayed. Regional leaders announced last week that the scheme's funding will be delayed until at least 2015. The rejection of this road scheme only serves to highlight the importance of the Woodhead rail route and its potential roll in taking freight and passengers off the A628 road.

Next Save the Woodhead Tunnel campaign meeting
7.30pm this Thursday, 19th March 2009
Prince of Wales Pub, Glossop

TAKE ACTION: Contact 4NW and NWDA re: Regional Funding consultation

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:37:00 +0000

Until Friday 30th January 2009, there's a great opportunity to push forward the re-opening of
the Woodhead line by writing to north west authorities, asking them to drop plans for a bypass in Longendale.

The North West region receives a funding allocation for transport projects. This allocation includes plans for a bypass in the Mottram, Hollingworth, Tintwistle area. Our argument is that for environmental, social and economic reasons we need to take freight off the roads and put it on the rails.

We're asking supporters of Save the Woodhead Tunnel to write to 4NW (4 North West) and the NWDA (North West Development Agency), before FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY, asking them to drop the scheme.

You can email RFA2@NWDA.co.uk there is draft text outlining key points below and in this PDF, or you can make your own reasons clear.

Thanks!

--

Robert Bancroft
Policy Officer
Northwest Development Agency (NWDA)
PO Box 37
Renaissance House
Centre Park
Warrington WA1 1XB

Date ______________________

Response to the 4NW and NWDA Regional Funding Advice, December 2008 (NW RFA) consultation draft

Dear Mr. Bancroft,

I am writing to urge the 4NW group to reconsider their support for the A628 Mottram Tintwistle bypass and the Glossop Spur when considering the spending priorities for the region in the RFA2 process.

I do not support the bypass proposals. I am very concerned that the scheme will increase traffic in the local area, that it will lead to increased levels of pollution and CO2, and that it will cause irreparable damage to the countryside.

If the Mottram Tintwistle bypass goes ahead an extra 15,000 tonnes per year of CO2 will be emitted into the atmosphere. Given the threat of climate change it seems inconceivable that we are still considering schemes that will increase levels of CO2 without giving due attention to less-polluting alternatives that would cost much less to implement. We should be funding public transport schemes, investing in the railways, further expanding the metro system, providing communities with integrated transport systems, and encouraging people to walk and cycle more, benefiting both the environment and human health. The Mottram Tintwistle bypass will achieve the direct opposite of all these aims, diverting funds from sustainable solutions that are in line with the latest thinking on transport and the environment.

Your comments:
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Your Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Your Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Your Postcode _______________________________________

How do you solve a problem like the Woodhead?

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:13:00 +0000

SWT run competition to find a solution to re-opening the Woodhead Tunnel

Our campaign has been running for a year now. We've made a case for the importance of the line and government have now acknowledged the Woodhead Tunnel needs maintaining.

But what should a re-opened Woodhead line look like, how should it operate?
Over to you!

We're running a public competition to find the best solution. Do you favour a high speed line, local stopping services, trams or a lorry shuttle. We want your ideas!

After three months we'll put a short list of ideas to the public vote.

To enter tell us your idea using the following headings:

TITLE OF THE IDEA:

LOGO: if there is one

50 WORD SUMMARY:

KEY BENEFITS: Max of 4

DRAWBACKS: (if any)

DEPENDENCIES (ie what else has to be in place, to make the idea happen)

250 WORD: DESCRIPTION:

MAX 4 IMAGES: jpeg or PDF

MAX 3 LINKS: to existing webpages or supporting information

YOUR NAME & EMAIL CONTACT:

Are you happy to be contacted by the public about your idea?

DEADLINE: for entries 1st March 2009
Email your entries to savethewoodheadtunnel@gmail.com

Save the Woodhead Tunnel: Christmas Film Showing

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:14:00 +0000

Save the Woodhead Tunnel present:

'The Navigators'
a film by Ken Loach

followed by StWT mid-winter party,
alcoholic refreshments available

7pm, Sunday 28th December 2008
At the Partington Theatre, Henry Street, Glossop
Price: donation on the door

Celebrate a year of the Save the Woodhead Tunnel campaign.
Film runs for 70 mins.

With thanks to the Peak Film Society

www.savethewoodheadtunnel.org.uk
savethewoodheadtunnel.org.uk

Woodhead Tunnels remain viable option for trans - Pennine rail link

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:57:00 +0000

This is the latest press release from development agency Northern Way...

Woodhead Tunnels remain viable option for trans-Pennine rail link

27th October 2008

The Northern Way is today (27 October 2008) publishing a paper that describes what would need to be done to keep open the option of bringing the disused Woodhead rail route between Hadfield and Penistone in the Peak District back into rail use.

Previously, the Northern Way has identified that to support the North's economic growth additional trans-Pennine rail capacity will be needed for passengers and freight. The re-use of the Woodhead route is one of the options that should be considered.

The paper counters suggestions that National Grid's work to relocate high voltage power cables in the tunnels precludes the option of them being re-used for rail services in the future.

John Jarvis, Northern Way Transport Director, said:

"We're going to need additional trans-Pennine rail capacity. To make sure we get the optimum solution, it's essential that all options for making this a reality remain open."

Link to original press release

Tunnel re-cabling work on hold

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:48:00 +0000

LATEST NEWS: work on re-cabling in the Woodhead Tunnel by National Grid has been suspended. The revelation comes directly from the National Grid which has confirmed that no work would take place until April 2009 at the very earliest.

Anecdotal evidence suggests little work has actually taken place as National Grid prepare for the transfer of power cables from the Victorian tunnels into the more modern 1953 Tunnel sometime around 2010.

All this delay means the Save the Woodhead Tunnel Campaign have all the more time to make our case for the suspension of the re-cabling work and the re-opening of the Tunnel to rail.

Yes minister?

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:44:00 +0000

Save the Woodhead Tunnel are welcoming the recent meeting between new transport minister Lord Adonis and those campaigning to re-open the tunnel. The positive meeting indicated the government are open to persuasion and the campaign will now move on to making robust arguments for re-instating the line.

We'll be formally introducing ourselves to the minister in the next few weeks and we're hoping rumours he is a train enthusiast are proven correct!

The meeting comes in the wake of a report from development partnership The Northern Way which indicates future growth in trans-pennine freight demands the re-opening of the line.

Also, the draft Yorkshire and Humberside route utilisation strategy (Y&H RUS) includes the Woodhead route and we'll be making representations to ensure it gets the attention we believe it deserves.

Save the Woodhead Tunnel October 2008 newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:01:00 +0000

Save the Woodhead Campaign at the Penistone Show
There was a big turnout for the Save the Woodhead Tunnel Campaign stall at this year's Penistone Show. As you can see (1, 2) we had a great time with 290 petition signatures, £37 raised, lots of good conversations and most of our rather great badges taken.
We're looking to organise a meeting in Penistone sometime in the future, so if you're interested in helping out get in touch.

Meeting with the minister
On October 7th, Sheffield MP Angela Smith met with Lord Adonis, the new Minister for Transport, to discuss re-opening the Woodhead Tunnel. Also in attendance were representatives from Friends of the Peak District, Freight on Rail and Campaign for Better Transport (formerly Transport 2000). We'll be reporting on the outcome of the meeting and its implications soon after we've met with attendees.

Next Meeting
The next Save the Woodhead Tunnel campaign meeting is 7.30pm Thursday 16th October at the Prince of Wales pub, Milltown, Glossop SK13 8PX. The venue is just round the corner from Glossop station and on a main bus route. We'll be discussing the meeting with Lord Adonis and the future of the campaign. All welcome.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.

Come & join us at the Penistone Show

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:06:00 +0000

Save the Woodhead Tunnel have managed to secure a place at the Penistone Show, which takes place on Saturday 13th September 2008.

If you're in the area and want to find out more about the campaign, come and say hello. The show is huge, so you may have to have a good look for us, but we will have our banner on the stall, and the bright red colour should be a bit of a giveaway.

More information about the show can be found here, and the location details are here.

Local people send a message to government: "Re-open Our Tunnel!"

noreply@blogger.com (Save the Woodhead Tunnel) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:58:00 +0000

On Saturday 2nd August over 50 people from both sides of the Peaks gathered at a demonstration to demand the Woodhead Tunnel re-open to rail. Some attending the protest had hiked for more than two hours over the route of the Woodhead Line, whilst others had cycled from Hadfield and one man had come all the way from Southampton. The crowd, gathered at the tunnel entrance, heard from speakers and enjoyed music from a bicycle-towed sound system in the August sunshine.

The Tunnel has been closed to trains for over twenty years but local people believe there is now an excellent case to re-open the route between Sheffield and Manchester in order to meet national climate change commitments, relieve congestion on local roads and boost the local economy.

Local campaigner, Jonathan Atkinson of Save the Woodhead Tunnel, believes the ball is now in the Government's court.

"Everyone now sees the common sense case in re-opening the Woodhead line: local MPs, businesses and unions, the Northern Way and now the local community have demonstrated their support. It's up to Ruth Kelly and the Department of Transport to pull their fingers out and include Woodhead in the forthcoming Transport White Paper."

Representatives from Save the Woodhead Tunnel are due to meet Rail Minister Rosie Winterton in October. If people want to get involved in the campaign they can visit their website at www.savethewoodheadtunnel.blogspot.com or attend the next meeting at the Prince of Wales pub, Glossop, 7.30pm Thursday 14th August.

Demonstration today - thank you for attending

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:57:00 +0000

Under a bright blue sky on a lovely day, around 50 people turned out to help us demonstrate again in favour of re-opening the Woodhead Tunnel.

Those gathered heard speakers from the 2M Group, Stockport Green Party, Save Swallows Wood and Stockport Friends of the Earth.

Many thanks to all those that attended - our farthest-flung friend came all the way from Southampton to join us, and we are also grateful for the attendance of many from the nearby Lifespan Community Collective.

You all made a difference to our day, and hopefully, we can all make a difference for our future and that of the Tunnel.

We plan to post Videos of the speeches at a later date.

Demonstration to ‘Save the Woodhead Tunnel’, Saturday 2nd August 2008, 2 p.m.

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:28:00 +0000

Today, we are reissuing details of our forthcoming demonstration with the Press Release we will be sending out on Monday.

Firstly, to remind you of the details:

Date: Saturday 2nd August 2008

Time: 2 p.m.

Place: Woodhead Tunnel, Western entrance (click here for a map, or see below)

The Press Release follows:

Campaigners working to 'Save the Woodhead Tunnel' are to hold a demonstration calling for the Government to re-open the historic Woodhead line.

Locals argue the reopened Woodhead railway line would help reduce transport greenhouse gas emissions and the demonstration is timed to coincide with the national Climate Camp to be held at Kingsnorth Power station in August.

Local activists argue the re-opened line would relieve congestion on local roads, boost the local economy and open up the area to tourists. The future of the tunnel has been in doubt since National Grid began routing cables through it earlier this year. Campaigners have received assurances from Secretary of State Ruth Kelly that the tunnel will only be preserved for rail use after 2010 IF the case is made for the route to be re-opened.

A spokesperson says:

"Here in Longdendale it’s all too obvious what’s wrong with the government’s transport policy. The A628,a road that passes through the Peak District National Park, is clogged with cars and heavy good vehicles, whilst planes from Manchester Airport spew out greenhouse gases overhead. Meanwhile one of the most modern railway tunnels in Britain stands empty.

We demand a sustainable transport policy with freight taken off the road and onto the railway and commuters taking the train rather than the plane. We want trains through the Woodhead Tunnel again!"

The demonstration will include a samba band, picnic and speakers and coincides with the Camp for Climate Action which is to be held from 3rd-11th August at the coal fired power station in Kingsnorth, Kent.

Wherever you are, please join us for the demo - we are especially keen to hear from people on the other side of the Pennines who wish to set up their own group. You are all welcome.

View Larger Map

This is what 'victory' looks like...

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:36:00 +0000

We'd thought you'd like to see some pictures of the current state of play with work on the tunnels. Over the past few weeks, we've heard a lot from various politicians about how the future of the tunnels has been secured for rail. Our last press release has our reservations, and these image only serve to underline our worries.

Contact address

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:21:00 +0000

We have now obtained a PO Box address, so if you want to write to us for whatever reason, here it is:

Save The Woodhead Tunnel
PO Box 367
Hyde
Cheshire
SK14 4WD

Press release: Woodhead tunnel ‘victory’ is wishful thinking

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:00:00 +0000

What follows is a new press release stating our position following much recent speculation about the future of the Woodhead Tunnel and Route in recent days:

The fight to secure Woodhead new tunnel for future railway use has only just begun, according to campaigners from ‘Save the Woodhead Tunnel!’. The group, which brings together people with transport and environmental interests, is bemused by recent press coverage suggesting that the battle has been won.

In January, the National Grid began a £50million project to move power cables and equipment from two Victorian tunnels - which it then intends to abandon - into a concrete-lined bore opened by British Rail in 1954. However this tunnel is the only one of the three large enough to accommodate European gauge (W12) freight traffic, demand for which is expected to increase significantly between east and west coast ports over the next 20 years. Existing trans-Pennine rail corridors are already operating at capacity and are not cleared for W12 containers. Unless a new line is opened, it is likely that this traffic will have to be carried by road.

During an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on 11th March 2008, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said “I propose to meet National Grid in the next few weeks to confirm that the Government wishes to explore further the option of continuing the inspection and maintenance regime for the Victorian tunnels once National Grid has vacated them.”

However, both the National Grid and Network Rail have already stated that they will not fund this work. Unless central government agrees to do so, Ms Winterton’s vague statement is entirely hollow. She does not expect a decision will be made until 2010/2011 so there remains a realistic possibility that the Victorian tunnels will be sealed and nature allowed to take its course. This could effectively scupper any reopening of the Woodhead route in the longer term.

Ms Winterton also repeated that “no Government or rail industry strategy or planning document has identified a need for additional rail capacity across the Pennines that would require the reopening of the Woodhead route.” She went on: “Neither the White Paper (Delivering a Sustainable Railway) nor the Yorkshire and Humber regional planning assessment identified a long-term need for substantial increases in freight capacity across the Pennines…Network Rail published its freight Route Utilisation Strategy in 2007. The only trans-Pennine issue that it identified was a possible need for additional capacity on the south trans-Pennine route through the Hope valley between Sheffield and Manchester.”

These assertions are based on the government’s current transport policy of not looking beyond the end of its nose. They only deal with growth forecasts to 2014 (or 2021 in the case of the Yorkshire and Humber Transport Strategy) and do not encourage a significant modal shift from road to rail, lessening the impact of transport on the environment.

In October 2007, the Northern Way - a collaboration of the north of England’s three regional development agencies - published a report entitled ‘Northern Rail Routes: Demand Study’. It forecasts the potential for growth in container traffic up to 2035, if it was unconstrained by network capacity and gauge issues. As many as 60 additional freight trains per day could be travelling between the new deep sea facility at Teesport and the Port of Liverpool. According to Transport Director John Jarvis “There’s a very strong need for a new [trans-Pennine] line and we think that will be before 2030. Woodhead is a candidate route, that’s why we’re making the case for safeguarding it rather than letting it go.”

Nothing has changed since the National Grid began its work three months ago. Cables will still be installed in the 1954 tunnel; the Victorian tunnels will still be sealed and abandoned in 2011; the government is still committed to its ‘make-do-and-mend’ approach to public transport; it is still in denial about the need for extra trans-Pennine rail capacity, despite robust evidence; ever-increasing volumes of freight are still being forced onto congested roads.

Rosie Winterton concluded the Adjournment Debate by hoping that her “response to the points raised…reassures Honourable Members that the steps that I propose will keep open the option of using the Woodhead route in the long term." Unfortunately, it doesn’t.

A spokesman for the Save the Woodhead Tunnel group said: “It’s not clear whether the government remains ignorant of the issues surrounding Woodhead or is wilfully distorting the evidence in order to support its favoured option of doing absolutely nothing. The case for a new trans-Pennine rail line is strong and Woodhead is a ready-made route. It would bring economic and social benefits to the north of England - far exceeding the costs of construction - as well as helping to meet our climate change commitments. The Government’s lack of vision and adventure is no longer sustainable.”

Glossop Chronicle: Not the end of the line

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:00:00 +0000

Another overly-optimistic article, this time from today's Glossop Chronicle, about politicians statements on Woodhead, by David Jones:

A government minister has signalled the green light for trains to again run through Woodhead Tunnel.

Re-opening the link under the Pennines seemed a non-starter when the National Grid announced plans to string power lines through it.

But in a House of Commons debate, Transport Secretary Rosie Winterton hinted that trains could be on track sometime in the future.

She told MPs: “National Grid’s plans will not jeopardise the possibility that the Woodhead Tunnel will reopen to rail traffic at some future date.”

It was a response that delighted Sheffield Hillsborough MP Angela Smith, who sponsored the debate, and Tom Levitt.

High Peak’s MP - who also took part in the discussion - said: “This is a victory for common sense and forward thinking. Our task now is to demonstrate to government and Network Rail that Woodhead is not only a possible option but the best option for improving Trans-Pennine freight movement.”

The news means that measures will effectively be put in place to make sure that any reopening of the Woodhead Tunnel as a railway link is not jeopardised by National Grid’s plans.

National Grid’s proposals to transfer their high voltage cables from the Victorian tunnels to the 1953 tunnel will carry on.

But in such a way that they won’t stop trains travelling through the tunnel sometime in the future. The power company will complete their work in 2010 or 2011.

From that point the older tunnels will no longer have a use but will continue to be inspected and maintained.

This will ensure that if and when the 1953 tunnel is required for the reinstallation of a rail track, the high voltage cables can be transferred back into the older tunnels in a cost effective way.

The Transport Minister’s statement marks a successful outcome by those who think a rail link through Woodhead Tunnel could boost the economies of the North West and Yorkshire.

Campaigners, backed by Mr Levitt and many Glossopdale residents, believe that rail freight is the best environmental option for carrying in bulk.

Glossop Advertiser: Tunnel vision reaps rewards

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:00:00 +0000

An overly optimistic article from today's Glossop Advertiser about politicians statements on the situation with Woodhead, by Tom Rowley:

Campaigners are celebrating after the Woodhead Tunnel was saved for future rail use.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton has confirmed that the option of using Woodhead for rail once more will now be retained

Campaigners believe that rail freight is the best environmental option for carrying in bulk.

There had been concerns that National Grid’s plans to transfer their high-voltage cables from the Victorian tunnels to the 1953 tunnel would jeopardise such a move.

In a parliamentary debate Mrs Winterton told MPs: "National Grid’s plans will not jeopardise the possibility that the Woodhead Tunnel will reopen to rail traffic at some future date."

Glossop MP Tom Levitt also took part in the debate and welcomed the outcome.

"This is a victory for common sense and forward thinking," he said. Our task now is to demonstrate to government and Network Rail that Woodhead is not only a possible option but the best option for improving Trans-Pennine freight movement."

Under the government’s plans, National Grid will complete its work in 2010 or 2011.

The older tunnels will no longer have a use but will continue to be inspected and maintained. This will ensure that if and when the 1953 tunnel is required for the reinstallation of a rail track, the high-voltage cables can be transferred back into the older tunnels in a cost-effective way.

Green campaigners and supporters of rail travel are hailing the minister’s pledge as a successful outcome to a campaign by those who think that a restored rail link through the Woodhead Tunnel could boost the economies of Glossop, the North West and Yorkshire.

Jonathan Atkinson, Glossop co-ordinator for the campaign, said: "What we really need is a firm commitment on a budget and for the tunnel re-opening to be included in the next White Paper.

"People will be able to get out and use the countryside more. People working in Sheffield and all down that line will be able to use the train and it will help reduce climate change."

Manchester Evening News: Woodhead Tunnel decision delayed

noreply@blogger.com (Navvy) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:00:00 +0000

An article from today's Manchester Evening News about the latest political statements regarding Woodhead, by Alan Salter:

The government has deferred a decision on reviving Woodhead Tunnel as a rail route - saying it has not seen a need to re-open the tunnel to trains so far.

The decision will now be made in three years.

Train enthusiasts launched a campaign to preserve the trans-Pennine tunnel, a route which linked Manchester and Sheffield, after plans were announced to lay electricity cables inside. The campaigners fear this will spell the end for any hopes of reviving the Woodhead Tunnel as a rail route in the future.

In a debate on the tunnel in the Commons, Sheffield Hillsborough MP Angela Smith said: "Rail passenger numbers are growing faster in the north than in the rest of the country and there is increasing demand for rail freight.

"The Woodhead rail route offers the most cost-efficient option for building trans-Pennine capacity in the long term." Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said campaigners had nothing to fear about the plans to lay the cables but indicated that the government was not convinced of a need to keep the tunnel open.

She said: "National Grid's plans will not jeopardise the possibility that the Woodhead tunnel route will reopen to rail traffic at some future date."

She said the government would consider any fresh evidence in favour of supporting the preservation of the Woodhead Tunnel and a final decision will be made in 2011 when the National Grid plans to seal up the tunnel. If the government decides that there may be future need for a rail link, the National Grid would be required to carry on maintaining the abandoned tunnel and stop it from deteriorating.

However, the minister added: "No government or rail industry strategy or planning document has identified a need for additional rail capacity across the Pennines that would require the reopening of the Woodhead route."

An Early Day Motion calling on the government to intervene and `prevent this strategic rail route being lost forever' has been signed by more than 70 MPs from all parties.