In last weeks post from 4rth November entitled 'Has future maintainance of Woodhead Tunnels ceased?' we promised to bring you the Department for Transport reply to Angela Smith MP, who asked for a statement on the current position.
We are pleased to announce that we can now bring you the said letter which is reproduced above. This was the first of a trilogy of letters circulated between Angela Smith MP, the Department for Transport and Friends of the Peak District which have all now been published in recent posts.
Apologies for not reproducing them in sequential order but we have simply passed on to our readers the letters available to us, as and when we had sight of them. We'll tidy it all up by publishing the trilogy in some sort of chronological order in a subsequent post.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Woodhead's Tunnels Trilogy
Sunday, 7 November 2010
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TIN BATH STEAM TRAIN?
In a previous post dated 17/10/2010 we mentioned the then forthcoming Tin Bath 'Extra' Railway Tour and detailed its scheduled itinery for Sunday 7th November, as posted by the Railway Touring Company, who organised the excursion.
News has reached us that all did not run to plan (well it is Sunday!) and some of you have been enquiring as to what exactly did take place and when?
The news I have (subject to verification) is that the original 10.15am scheduled start from Manchester Piccadilly was brought forward to 9.15am from Manchester Victoria. This was apparently because of engineering works at both Stalybridge and Stoke which prevented these alternative routes from being used.
Consequently, we believe the Tin Bath had to be re-directed via Crewe, which explains the added journey time.
Congratulations to those of you that managed to catch the train at the right time and location. Commiserations to anyone who found themselves flat-footed by the alternative arrangements (if our sources are correct).
Spare a thought too for what must have amounted to hundreds of train spotters and photographers along the scheduled route, who got up early, tripod in situ, in order to get some rare snaps and footage. I know for certain that there were several dozen at Hyde alone, who were bitterly disappointed that their dedication and enthusiam went unrewarded.
In our previous post we did make a jokey reference to the length of time it took the Tin Bath to navigate its course and mentioned that a fully functioning Woodhead Line would reduce the 'excessive time that it takes passengers along the route of the Manchester-Sheffield-Wath route to travel between two of Britain's major cities or between towns on the route' .
The diversion of the Tin Bath however, makes the point for us, albeit it in unhappy circumstances. Namely that were there a further direct route between Manchester and Sheffield, such as the Woodhead Line would provide, then there would still be a reliable inter-city route - whether that be for pleasure trips, commercial passengers or freight, should the unforseen (or in this case the forseen and presumably scheduled!) happen to occur.
Yes Minister, we do need to Re-open the Woodhead Line and sooner rather than later, if the situation is to improve for passengers and if once sleepy villages are to be relieved of ever larger and more menacing juggernauts speeding through their neighbourhoods.
Yes Minister, we do need to Re-open the Woodhead Line, regardless of your current indifference and general lack of foresight on this major transport issue.
P.S. - If any of our readers were passengers on the Tin Bath or have any further information about the event, for better or worse, please feel free to comment below or send us an e-mail at savethewoodheadtunnel@gmail.com and we'll be glad to report.
Friday, 5 November 2010
Department for Transport reply to Woodhead Tunnels future maintainance question
Today we publish the response from the Department for Transport, which comes not from Theresa Villiers herself but from the Cities and Regions Policy Manager, Brian Welch.
Your thoughts are of course always welcome and can be submitted using the comments box at the foot of the post.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
HAS FUTURE MAINTAINANCE of WOODHEAD TUNNELS CEASED?
News has reached Re-open the Woodhead Line of triangular correspondence between the Secretary of State for Transport, Angela Smith MP and the Friends of the Peak District indicating that talks on future maintenance of the tunnels has ceased.
The correspondence has been prompted by a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport to Angela Smith MP which 'puts consultation on the future care and maintainance of the Victorian Woodhead tunnels into abeyance'. Whilst we do not have a copy of this letter at present, we do hope to be able to acquire such and publish it in due course.
What we do have however is evidence that Friends of the Peak District have seen the letter and have made a representation to the Secretary of State arguing quite rightly that the "Woodhead tunnels represent a massive investment of human and built capital that should not be condemned to decay because there is no immediate use for them".
The full text of their response to the Secretary of State for Transport is reproduced below. We also have a copy the DfT response to it, which makes interesting reading but rather than give readers an information overload I shall make that the subject of tomorrows blog:-
AND USE BACK BUTTON TO RETURN
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
WIN A FREE COPY of AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY of the WOODHEAD ROUTE
Hi Readers,
As an addendum to a previous post from 24rth September 2010 entitled AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY of the WOODHEAD ROUTE I have come across a link via Martin Lewis's website (of Money Saving Expert fame) , of a free to enter competition to win one of six books:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2818700
If you cut and paste the above link into your browser you will see details of how to enter the competition but don't bother because I've copied and pasted it below, where you will also find a suggested answer:
=========================>>>
E: 31/10 Woodhead (railway) book
Thread Stats 
Views: 
W Factor 
Six copies of An Illustrated History of the Woodhead Line to give away. Simply answer this question:
How many Class 76s were converted to air-brake only operation.
I believe the answer is 9 but I am open to contradiction.
HOW TO ENTER: Visit www.ianallanmagazines.com/ricomp and complete the entry form with competition name (Woodhead), your answer and full contact details. Or, send your answer, subscriber number (if applicable), and full contact details on a postcard to
Woodhead book Competition,
Magazine Marketing Dept,
Ian Allan Publishing, Riverdene Business Park,
Molesey Road,
Hersham,
Surrey
KT12 4RG.
=================================>>>
Good luck with your entry. For anyone who has read the book already and would like to send us a review, please feel free and we'll be glad to publish.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
NEVER LET THE DfT GRIND YOU DOWN
 | | |
Just a few lines to let our readers, subscribers and members know that the Re-open the Woodhead Line group intend to formally reply to the DfT response to our open letter
The DfT response was posted on this blog on the 9th October and the full text can be seen by following the above link.
We will of course publish our full response in due course. In the meanwhile here are a few bullet points to shoot across the bows of the Secretary of State.
- The U.K. is legally committed to an 80% cut in CO2 emissions by 2050
- 26% of U.K. emissions are emitted from transport
- Of the three means by which such radical cuts can be effected (behavioural, technological and modal) modal shift ie: transferring traffic to the most energy efficient form of transport, is the one that the DfT has most control of.
- As road traffic is responsible for 92% of total transport emissions, a third of all road journey miles need transferring to rail
- Such a shift will quadruple existing rail traffic levels
- There is therefore an urgent need to open up new rail routes to parallel existing principal corridors
We therefore believe that the restoration of the Woodhead route is essential.
It is the only practicable option for achieving a step change in Transpennine connectivity and of guaranteeing an effective transport system for the North, given the expectation of an oil depleted future and a genuine attempt to cut CO2 emissions.
As such we regard the DfT do-nothing policy as unfit for purpose when radical action is needed today.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Re-open the Woodhead Line monthly meeting - Thursday 21st October 2010
A late reminder that today is the third Thursday in the month, 21/10/2010 which means that the Re-open Woodhead Line group meeting takes place this evening.
The venue is as per usual - the Labour Club in Chapel Street, Glossop, starting at 7.30 p.m.
The Labour Club, despite its name is politically unaffiliated.
ALL WELCOME
Sunday, 17 October 2010
The TIN BATH "EXTRA"
The Tin Bath route encompasses Derbyshire, Lancashire and South Yorkshire visiting some rarely used routes for steam along the way. I have lifted the approximate timings from the Railway Touring Company site and posted below.
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Approximate Timings
| Station | Depart | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester Piccadilly | 10:15 | 17:55 |
| Romily | 10:45 | ------- |
| Stockport | ------- | 18:15 |
| Hathersage | 11:25 | ------- |
| Sheffield | 12:50 | ------- |
| Huddersfield | 15:00 | ------- |
| Bolton | 17:30 | ------- |
Sure this is a lazy day trip with a difference and speed is definitately not of the essence.
Nevertheless its meandering course does serve as a reminder to those of us who want to see the Woodhead line re-opened, of the excessive time that it takes passengers along the route of the Manchester-Sheffield-Wath route to travel between two of Britain's major cities or between towns on the route.
Anyone wanting to travel between Glossop and Penistone, for instance, a journey of some 20 miles and which 50 years ago was measured in minutes on a railway timetable, would now be quicker to undertake by bicycle, or perhaps even on foot in this instance!
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Is re-opening Stocksbridge line feasible?
Some of you will have missed this article, appearing as it did during the holiday season, so it is reprinted above. It was run by RAIL magazine
Whilst the article itself is self explanatory, the interest and connection for supporters and followers of Re-open the Woodhead Line, is of course, that this is actually a part of the former Woodhead route, serving Sheffield Victoria.
For those not familiar with the entirety of the route between Manchester and Sheffield , there is a useful topographical map on Wikipedia's Woodhead Line page.
According to their own website, The Don Valley Railway Project, (who are the movers behind the scheme) it all started in September 2003 through the vision of Stocksbridge man, Mr David Goodison. They quickly gained support and involvement from individuals, local authorities, community groups, businesses and their local MP.
If only such support and vision was forthcoming from this side of the Pennines, where all the local authorities and politicians want to build are roads and supermarkets!!
Saturday, 9 October 2010
DEPARTMENT for TRANSPORT Replies To the Chair of Re-open the Woodhead Line
I am pleased to say that we received a reply to the letter a few weeks ago (from Brian Welch, the Cities and Regions Policy Manager) and having discussed it in the branch meeting, now feel ready for it to appear to a wider audience for general consumption and comment.
For some it is just the usual standard letter that might have been received in the 1980's, for others despite its apparent negativity on initial reading, it still leaves open some prospect for future re-opening. Over to you. Please feel free to comment using the comment box at the foot of the post.
Please note that after viewing the letter you will need to hit the back button to get back to the site as I haven't found a way to open up this particular document in a new window yet.
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CLICK ON LETTER TO ENLARGE
Monday, 4 October 2010
RAILWAYS ACROSS the PENNINES
And now for something completely different...
For those of you who live within commuting distance of Glossop and have a penchant for railway knowledge (or perhaps you know more than the tutor and want a debate!) then here is news of an upcoming course being run by the Glossop Guild, which is entitled:
=================================================
Railways across the Pennines/ Ian Moss, B.Sc., M.Sc.
10 Thursdays: 7, 14, 21, 28 October; 4, 11, 18, 25 November; 2, 9 December; 19.30 - 21.30h
Bradbury Community House, Market Street, Glossop
Fee £60 (Members £55)
At least twelve railways crossed the Pennine watershed- the first opened in 1830; the last in 1893 and more then half of them are still open. Because of the nature of the terrain and because of the likelihood that they would prosper (other areas of equally difficult relief chose to climb rather than embark on earthworks) they provide examples of interesting engineering including six of the country’s longest tunnels.
The course will look at all the lines but will give preference to the oldest (the Cromford & High Peak), the lines of the Midland Railway through the Peak, that which passed near Glossop on its way over Woodhead and the Lancashire & Yorkshire Route from Manchester to Leeds. Each line had a well defined purpose and most of those we consider adequately fulfilled it –and in our own time, with a shift of emphasis those open still do.
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Oddly enough the Guild meetings take place on the same evening as our own Re-open the Woodhead Line do (except ours are only on the 3rd Thursday of each month) and uncannily they meet at Bradbury House which is only yards away from the Glossop Labour Club, which is our current venue!
So if you fancy joining the course give our group a mention and come and have a drink with us afterwards. Better still why not join us if you're not already a member?
Apologies to the Glossop Guild for stealing the image from your website, as well as the text but we are giving you a plug so it seems fair enough. We're all on the same train.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
British Transport Film - Electrification of the Woodhead Route
Another time sensitive post folks and one for the historians rather than the futurists.
Just thought I'd mention that there's a rare chance for one of our members/supporters/followers to acquire a VHS tape from 1991 that's currently auctioning on e-bay.
The subject matter is the era of British Railways' modernisation plan and our interest lies in the first of the three short films, which is concerned with the electrification of the Woodhead Route between Manchester and Sheffield.
No it's not mine by the way, nor do I know who the vendor is but what I can tell you is that it was originally released by Railfilms who are also the people behind The Woodhead Route Cab Ride video
The VHS tape consists of three mini films which together are 25 minutes in length and all are in black and white. The remaining info that I can give you is lifted from the item description as follows:
The first film on the tape is 'Signpost', a 1955 British Transport Films production concerned with the electrification of the Woodhead Route between Manchester and Sheffield, one of the first lines to be electrified using overhead wires and seen at the time as a blueprint for the future of Britain's rail network (although the route itself, like so many others, was eventually closed).
The film is only five minutes in length largely because it was intended to be shown on BBC Television on the night the original Modernisation Plan was debated in Parliament - the time slot offered was reduced in length and so the film had to be recut from the original 'Electrification: Manchester - Sheffield'.
Happy bidding and may the most genuinely interested person win rather than the richest. If you are going in with a serious bid then I think you'll need to go a lot higher than the current meagre and measly offer of 99 pence !!!
Thursday, 30 September 2010
DINTING SIDINGS SOLD FOR £150,000+
Unsurprisingly, such a large site with all its development potential fetched far, far, more, though at six times the guide price perhaps rather more than even people familiar with the area were expecting and certainly exceeding Bagshaws wildest estimate!
According to the press articles the gavel came down at £150,000 and was sold to a firm of Manchester solicitors, though my contact at the auction insists it went for £157,000 and was sold to an insurance company - take your pick.
There are some great photos and a detailed map of the area to be found by following the link to the Bagshaws site. Hurry along before the page is taken down.
It seems a rather sad outcome but after two decades of decay, neglect and vandalism it's perhaps better that something rather than nothing happens to the area, though the current state of affairs has been a boon for wildlife during a period of endless housebuilding in the Glossop area. One can only hope beyond hope that the new owners are both environmentally conscientious and railway enthusiasts or at the very least have some sensitivity for glories past and the living present.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Consultation evening for railway volunteers
Consultation evening for railway volunteers
Very time sensitive this one folks. This article is lifted from the Yorkshire Post, in which it states the event (which you can read about below) takes place the following evening - so that will be Tuesday 28th September then. If you're interested best get your skates onView Larger Map
and check out the Map so you'll know where to head......
Confirmation of the event can be found here on the Penistone Line Partnership website.
The event, which begins at 7pm at Shepley Library and Information Centre in Marsh Lane, Shepley, aims to find out how volunteers would like to get involved at stations along the Penistone line.
Voluntary organisation the Penistone Line Partnership event, which will be attended by Northern Rail, which manages the stations.
Community rail partnership officer Rowena Chantler, from the Penistone Line Partnership, said: "We would like people to come along not only to tell us what improvements they would like to see, but more importantly what they would like to get involved in and what skills they want to offer or develop to make the most of their local station.
"People tend to think that volunteers on this sort of project will just get involved in gardening or painting benches and, while that sort of work is really important, people who want to volunteers their time for arts and crafts, writing or blogging or helping to design and put up posters are really valuable too.
"Any existing groups who would like to join forces on this project would be most welcome to attend as well as interested individuals."
Last week it was confirmed the East Peak Innovation Partnership will be putting £3,500 in funding towards a "station adoption" scheme.
A spokesman for the Penistone Line Partnership explained: "Adopting the station by the local community provides volunteer opportunities, adds value to what is already there, helps make the station more welcoming and attractive and encourages local people to be more involved in how their local facilities are managed." END
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Tuesday, 13 July 2010
NEXT CAMPAIGN MEETING: Thursday 15th July 2010
Here's a scan taken from a book about railways, there's a reference to a signal box inside the tunnel, imagine that!
The next campaign meeting is 7:30pm, Thursday 15th July 2010 at Glossop Labour Club.
See you there....
An open letter to Rt Hon. Philip Hammond Secretary of State for Transport
e-mail: reopen.woodheadline@googlemail.com
Re-Open The Woodhead Line PO Box 367 Hyde Cheshire SK13 4WD
Rt Hon. Philip Hammond
Secretary of State for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
LONDON
SW1P 4DR
Dear Mr. Hammond,
Former Woodhead Railway (Manchester – Sheffield)
We would like to see the Government show some foresight and safeguard this route and commit it for future reopening & development. The National Grid are the current owners of the new (1954) Woodhead tunnel and are currently laying high voltage cables through it, thus rendering it unsuitable for rail use in the short to medium term. In contrast our European Swiss neighbours are constructing three new railway tunnels through their mountains! It seems a strange anomaly that there is only one surviving rail route connecting Manchester and Sheffield, when there are three between Manchester and Liverpool. The closure in 1981 represented an appalling lack of vision of the Government of the day. No where else in Western Europe would an electrified railway have been closed between two cities the size of Manchester and Sheffield...
Woodhead was the shortest and quickest rail route between these cities and the new tunnel was built to a high standard. As it is concrete lined, it is not as susceptible to the water ingression which so troubles the older Victorian tunnels through the Pennines. The tunnel was also constructed to a large gauge that would enable continental size railway containers to pass through it and is the only tunnel though the Pennines built to this standard. It would prove to be a much greater engineering challenge and considerably more costly to electrify the remaining Manchester-Sheffield route (Hope Valley) which has three long tunnels, none with sufficient clearance for electrification and in addition reported to be running at capacity. Therefore, to lose Woodhead for potential rail traffic makes no sense and clearly contradicts the Government’s own policy regarding the reduction of carbon emissions and ‘sustainability.’
If the Woodhead route were reopened, it would facilitate a practical commute for people living in the Tameside and Glossop areas to enable them to work in Sheffield, whereas now they can only realistically travel to Manchester by train on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, when maintenance work is undertaken on the Hope Valley route, the Woodhead one would provide a convenient diversionary one, therefore negating the need for those awful rail replacement buses which seem to have become such a feature of “rail” travel in the U.K. The Settle – Carlisle railway was saved from closure in the 1980’s, and this route is often used as a diversionary one when the engineers are engaged on the West Coast one, just to illustrate this point. In addition, the stopping service on the remaining Hope Valley route is very well used by cyclists and walkers etc. as it facilitates leisure opportunities in the White Peak. Reopening Woodhead would do the same in the High Peak area. New stations were constructed at both ends of the new tunnel in the 1950s, however they did not remain open for long.
The previous Government had intimated that the old Victorian Woodhead tunnels would be maintained and inspected. Are you are able to reaffirm the commitment? With modern tunnel boring machines it would be possible to re-bore the old tunnels if necessary. Apparently, their alignment is more conducive to high speed as they are dead straight. Such a route may be required as a spur from the proposed high speed 2 rail development from London to the north.
Will our political leaders ever show forethought and courage or will they just carry on with their stubborn free market dogma? We think this line should be reopened in the strategic national and regional interest. Reopening would be a fitting gesture to the workmen who constructed the new tunnel, some of who are still alive today. There is still a plaque at Manchester Piccadilly railway station commemorating the opening of the New Woodhead tunnel and electrification in 1954; how ludicrous that it was shut just 27 years later! The Scottish Executive is supporting the reopening of the Waverley route in Scotland, which does not connect conurbations the size of Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire. They clearly have more foresight than the administration in London.
The previous Government blocked three interesting proposals to revitalise this route, that by the Central Railway Company, one by Translink and also Arriva trains. As I write these words I can recollect Mr. Prescott excitedly ranting about integrated transport in the early days of the former labour administration. Well, to quote the words of a local transport inspector, “we have not had any integrated transport since before 1986”…
Yours sincerely
David Bryson
Chair, Campaign to reopen the Woodhead Line
Friday, 2 July 2010
Woodhead Campaign briefing sheet
All the latest information on the Woodhead Campaign is incorporated into our new briefing sheet.
It includes the aims of the campaign, notable supporters and progress to date - all the commonly asked questions people have.
You can download it here.
If you have any comments, amendments or suggestions let us know.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Longdendale Integrated Transport Strategy (LITS) consultation submission
Re-open the Woodhead Line made an official submission to Tameside Council's Longdendale Integrated Transport Strategy (LITS) consultation. Here is the text of that submission:
FAO the Program Officer,
I am writing to you as the Chair of Re-open the Woodhead Line campaign group and on behalf of the group, in response to your ‘Initial Public Consultation & Participation’ regarding the proposed Longdendale Integrated Transport Strategy (LITS).
Our comments relate to how the proposed transport strategy intends to include improvements to rail services and rail infrastructure.
We have two particular concerns. First, you suggest that the railway line between Hattersley and Hadfield/Glossop would have increased frequency of rail services. However, there is neither any technical detail nor any explanation as to how or indeed, whether this could be actually achieved. Whilst we would generally support rail improvements such lack of detail and explanation renders it difficult to make an informed choice.
More importantly, we note that the re-opening of the Woodhead Line is not contained within any of your proposed Options, not even as part of any long term strategy. In fact it does not even rate a mention either as a component within an Option or within the accompanying literature.
Within the context of what is purported to be an integrated strategy for Longdendale, this seems like a glaring and indeed an extraordinary omission, given both the popularity and the cost effectiveness of implementing this measure.
The railway line between Manchester and Sheffield, via Woodhead, was part of the first electrified main line railway in Britain. The central section of less than 20 miles in length was closed to passenger and freight traffic in 1981.
Reinstatement of this relatively short section of line would vastly improve the connectivity of the rail network throughout the whole of Northern England and also significantly benefit the wider network.
As there has previously been major investment in the infrastructure of the line, particularly in the three- mile long Woodhead tunnel, re-opening the line represents an opportunity to enhance transport infrastructure both cost effectively and in a relatively short timescale.
A re-opened Woodhead line offers the following key benefits:
1. Reduced Environmental Impact
- A potential 70% reduction in CO2 emissions from people and freight crossing the Peak District National Park using rail rather than road transport.
- Reduced road traffic in the National Park as a result of moving more freight to rail.
- A consequential reduction in accidents on trans-Pennine roads.
2. Reduced Journey Times
- Research suggests that the current typical journey time between Manchester and Sheffield could be reduced from 55 minutes to 35 minutes.
- Re-opening the line would provide a much faster rail route between the main East and West coast ports and relieve congestion on the current rail network around Sheffield.
3. Improved Accessibility
- Greater public transport access could be provided to the Dark Peak area of the National Park for non-car users, cyclists and the disabled, where current provision is very poor.
- New connectivity between South Yorkshire and the eastern suburbs of Manchester and Longdendale would result. The line would open up new opportunities for employment, leisure and inward investment in the communities that it would link.
- Integration with proposed new high speed rail services to / from London and Europe would provide lower carbon journey alternatives to flying.
4. Improved Reliability
- An important diversionary route in the case of engineering works or incidents on the over-burdened line through the Hope Valley. This would remove the need for the current arrangements when the Hope Valley line is closed, whereby rail passengers are transferred to buses for the journey between Sheffield and Manchester with the consequence of longer journey times and disruption due to bad weather.
- A generally more resilient route for freight and passengers crossing the Pennines during the winter months.
For all of these reasons we feel that the re-opening of the Woodhead Line should be integral to any transport strategy for the area and that this important railway line should play a mandatory role within the context of any integrated transport strategy for Longdendale and its environs.
Yours sincerely,
David Bryson
Chair, Re-open the Woodhead Line Campaign
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Candidates of all political parties unite to call for a re-opened Woodhead rail route
Parliamentary candidates from across the political spectrum today are united in their support of the campaign to re-open the Woodhead rail route. Campaigners recently saved the Woodhead Tunnel after work by the National Grid threatened to make future use for rail impossible. Having secured Government assurances that the option for re-instating the line would remain open in 2008, and the fight is now on to re-open the trans-Pennine rail route from Manchester to Sheffield which closed in 1982.
Chair of the Re-open the Woodhead Route Campaign, David Bryson said:
“At this important time we believe a re-opened Woodhead Route would aid economic recovery on both sides of the Pennines, as well as deliver significant environmental and social benefits. We welcome the support for our campaign from all the main political political parties in the region.”
The local candidates in support of the campaign are:
Peter Allen, High Peak, Green Party
Alistair Stevens, High Peak, Lib Dem
Caitlin Bisknell, High Peak, Labour Party
Andrew Bingham, High Peak, Conservative
Jonathan Reynolds, Stalybridge & Hyde, Labour
Clive Betts, Sheffield South East (was Attercliffe), Labour
David Blunkett, Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough, Labour
John Sharp, Sheffield Brightside & Hillsborough, Conservative
Jillian Creasy, Sheffield Central, Green Party
Michael Dugher, Barnsley East, Labour
Paul Buckley, Ashton St Michaels, Conservative
Angela Smith, Penistone & Stocksbridge, Labour
For more information Re-open the Woodhead Line Campaign spokesperson:
Jonathan Atkinson
0781 861 7899
savethewoodheadtunnel@gmail.com
ENDS
Notes:
1. The Re-open the Woodhead Route Campaign has been in existence since December 2007. More information can be found here:
http://www.savethewoodheadtunnel.org.uk
2. Parliamentary candidates at the 2010 General Election in constituencies which would stand to gain from a re-opened Woodhead rail route were asked to sign up to the core aims of the Re-open the Woodhead Route Campaign group.
There are that the benefits of a re-opened Woodhead line are:
1. Reduced Environmental Impact
* 70% reduction in CO2 emissions by moving the transport of people and freight across the Peak District National Park from road to rail.
* Reduced congestion through the Park from moving freight to rail and piggybacking HGVs on trains.
* Fewer tunnels on the Woodhead route would allow the line to be electrified more quickly and at less expense than the existing Hope Valley Line.
* Reduced road accidents through road traffic reduction
2. Reduced Journey Times
* The 2001 Arriva proposal stated that use of Woodhead could reduce Manchester to Sheffield journeys times from the current average of 55 minutes to 35 minutes. More recent proposals have hinted that journey times could be reduced further using existing trains.
* Trains between the English core cities of Nottingham / Sheffield and Manchester / Liverpool currently use the Hope Valley Line to travel between Sheffield and Manchester. The average speed of these journeys are the slowest on the rail network between any core English cities.
* Re-opening Woodhead would provide a fast rail route between the main East and West coast ports and relieve congestion on the current rail network around Sheffield.
3. Improved Accessibility
* A re-opened line could provide public transport access to the Dark Peak area for non-car users, cyclists and the disabled, where current provision is very poor.
* New connectivity between South Yorkshire and the eastern suburbs of Manchester and Longdendale. The line would open up new opportunities for employment, leisure and inward investment to the communities it would link.
* Integration with proposed new high speed rail services to / from London and Europe would provide lower carbon journey alternatives to flying.
4. Improved Reliability
* Availability as a diversion route when the Hope Valley Line is closed for engineering work or incidents. This would prevent the current arrangements whereby rail passengers are bussed between Sheffield and Manchester when the line is closed.
* More resilient transportation for freight and passengers across the Pennines during periods of bad weather.
* Integration with the High Speed rail network would provide contingency during incidents when flights are disrupted.
--
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Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Guardian Article - Tuesday 6th April 2010
I'd like to draw the attention of those who missed it to an article written by Christian Wolmar in the Guardian, Tuesday 6th April, entitled 'Lib Dems ducking the issue on railways'.
At this point you might ask 'Why does it matter what the Lib Dems say or think about the future of rail, as they will never be in power anyhow?' or even 'What has this got to do with the Woodhead line?' Patience, patience, all will be revealed in due course.
What struck me though was the very fact that the future of rail is being discussed so prominently during election fever season and also that there is some discussion about spending money on trains at the expense of roads, something that hasn't happened in decades. Promising. Promising.
The article is a response to the Lib Dem transport spokesman Norman Baker who wants to cut capital spending on roads by £3 billion and use it to expand the rail network by reopening thousands of miles of railway tracks and stations instead!
Here is a link to the said article by Mr Baker:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8603009.stm
There is also a short news video (1 min 17 secs) to be found on the same page as the above link, which is worth a minute of your time.
This is very interesting from a Woodhead point of view because when asked about which lines might be reopened he replies 'many of those that were closed down during the Beeching era, particularly those where the track bed has been protected by local authorities'. He is critical of the government's concentration on high speed trains and is much more interested in opening small sections of track that can have wider network benefits. Aah! I see the scales beginning to fall from your eyes oh nerdy ones.
Here's another slightly longer video link (3 mins 42 secs) : where Prof John Whitelegg, who apparently specialises in sustainable transport pours cold water on the plans, suggesting that the sums don't add up - but hey, isn't that why the Mottram-Tinsle bypass collapsed!?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8603000/8603203.stm
If you go back to the Guardian article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/06/liberal-democrats-railway-plans
you will find that several comments have been posted from readers that have already made the connection, which I copy below. The first is by Monkeybummer (shouldn't be allowed) :-
"Re-open the Woodhead tunnels!
Get the freight off the A57 and A628 and back onto the railways, get the lorries out of the Peak District National Park, get rid of the bottleneck coming in and out of Manchester.
Personally I find it unacceptable that it currently takes a minimum of two hours to get from Glossop to Sheffield by public transport when they're only 25 miles apart.
I'm sure there are similar circumstances to this up and down the country. Invest in local railways!"
Here is a reply by Circlesonic:-
As a bit of a train "buff" - and one who has an interest in the old Woodhead line - I'd be 100% with you on that point. Except, I'm sure you are aware of one of the main blocks to re-opening the Woodhead tunnels to rail traffic: the National Grid, who want to run high-voltage power cables through them (and in so doing, put the tunnels beyond rail use, perhaps for good).
Last I heard (c. 2008), the Government had given the green light to the NG to get started, so for all I know, we may be past the point of no return on this score (more's the pity). Ironic, given that until this morning, we've had one of the most pro-rail Transport Secretaries in office in years (Lord Adonis) - he kicked off the drive to electrify the London-Bristol line, but couldn't (wouldn't?) stop the Woodhead tunnels being put beyond rail use?
"Men and nations behave wisely once they've exhausted all other alternatives", indeed..."
and back to Monkeybummer:-
"Aye, I heard about the National Grid cable malarky. It seems like an excuse to me, because as you probably know there are three tunnels running through those hills, the two original ones and the larger one that was built in the 50s.
I don't understand why they can't put their cables in the old ones and re-open the newer one for trains. It was built for the first high-speed electric trains wasn't it? There's a plaque celebrating this in Piccadilly station. Perhaps there's a good reason why the cables can't go in the older tunnels, but I can't think of one."
So by now you will all have hopefully understood the potential significance of the debate to Woodhead but what of the significance of Norman Baker and his party?
Well, whilst the man currently in charge, Lord Adonis is good enough for me and certainly an improvement on his predecessors, there is also a chance that in the event of a hung Parliament and a two Party pact, that Norman Baker could just be the main man in Transport post-election. Just a thought.
Now it's over to you, trans-Pennine train lovers. Talk is cheap but comment is free.