Save the Woodhead Tunnel AGM

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

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

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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How do you solve a problem like the Woodhead?

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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!"

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

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.

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Sheffield Star: New blow to Woodhead tunnel hopes

An article from today's Sheffield Star about the continuing wrangle of Woodhead's future, by Mark Hookham:

The Woodhead Tunnel route does not need to reopen to improve South Yorkshire's rail network, a minister has insisted.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton told MPs that neither the Government, the rail industry nor local transport chiefs have identified a need to substantially boost the number of freight trains crossing the Pennines.

She said a decision will be made in 2010 or 2011 over whether to permanently seal the two Victorian Woodhead tunnels - a move which would kill off hopes that the route could be reopened.

Ms Winterton, the MP for Doncaster Central, made her comments during a parliamentary debate secured by Sheffield Hillsborough MP Angela Smith.

Ms Smith wants the 1953 Woodhead Tunnel to be reopened - boosting the entire northern economy, by cutting journey times between Sheffield and Manchester and allowing freight containers to be moved from the North Sea ports across the Pennines.

Her campaign is under threat because the tunnel owners, National Grid, plan to move electricity cables from the two decaying Victorian tunnels into the more modern tunnel. Any decision to then seal the older tunnels and keep the cables in the 1953 tunnel would prevent the route reopening. Ms Smith said: "The whole point of reopening the Woodhead line would be to enable passengers, as well as freight, to travel more quickly.

"In relation to travel to work, the economic benefits of easier access to workplaces are obvious."

Ms Winterton made it clear that there is currently little enthusiasm among ministers and rail chiefs for the route to be brought back into use.

She said: "I am sure she realises 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 said Network Rail had only identified a need to increase freight capacity on one of the three trans-pennine rail routes - the Hope Valley line between Sheffield and Manchester.