Sheffield to Manchester £6bn road tunnel 'plan' announced

[driver-once-more]

Woodhead Pass Overtaking lanes could be introduced on the Woodhead Pass

A major road tunnel could be bored through the Peak District to improve links between Sheffield and Manchester.

A government study will look at the feasibility of tunnelling under the A628 Woodhead Pass, in a scheme which would reportedly cost £6bn.

It is in addition to the Department of Transport’s £15bn package to transform major roads across England.

Other improvements for the A628 include adding overtaking lanes to allow faster vehicles to overtake lorries.

Upgrades are also planned for the A57 between Sheffield and Manchester and widening the A1 at Doncaster.

Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield MP Nick Clegg said the tunnel would have a “major, transformational effect” on the area.

“(We are) looking at the feasibility of this much-discussed but never properly researched option of building a tunnel through the Pennines from Manchester to Sheffield,” he said.

“It’s not going to be something that happens overnight and at the moment all I’m saying is we’re going to commission work into the viability of it.”
‘Waste of money’

The DfT said upgrading routes between Manchester and Sheffield represented the first increase in Trans-Pennine links since 1971.

Further projects set to benefit the region include completing the “smart motorway” along the length of the M62 from Leeds to Manchester - using variable speed limits.

But the Campaign for Better Transport described the plans as a “waste of money”, claiming that building new roads would increase congestion.

Sian Berry, from the group, suggested improving public transport links between Sheffield and Manchester, including re-opening the Woodhead Tunnel railway line, which closed in 1981.

She said: "There’s a disused railway line, the Woodhead Tunnel, and we think that should be reopened as a working, frequent railway.

“We don’t think you should be drilling a big road tunnel through the Peak District. We think traffic should be kept on the roads which should be run more efficiently.”

Of the £15bn spending confirmed by the government on Monday, about £2.3bn will be pumped into 18 schemes across Yorkshire and the north east, aimed at improving bottlenecks and reducing congestion.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30277068

[cufcmike]

Be nice if it went right through Manchester. Definitely my least favourite city during rush hour.

[midlifetrucker]

Pre election bovine sewage I’m afraid

[merc0447]

That would be a seriously long tunnel and if it cost 6 billion I would eat my hat! My solution is better, see awe they trident missiles we don’t use they cost billions aswell just ■■■■■■■ nuke Manchester and it’s problem solved.

See I used to think it was all about roads, maybe am going frigin nuts but am slowly starting to agree wae the tree huggers. Maybe I’m becoming senile but we need to get people out of cars it’s no sustainable.

[stanley_knife]

The whole transport situation regarding Sheffield - Manchester, two of the UK’s biggest cities, is ludicrous. Because of a row of hills in between them, road and rail fails miserably and needs sorting.

[jonnyquango]

I live in Denton on the east side of Manchester & for the past 30 odd years the locals around Hyde & Tintwistle have been campaigning to have a by pass built. Action speaks louder than words & will only be convinced once the earth movers put their wheels in motion. By the time some of the suggested road improvements start I’ll be over the age of 60.

I’m all for the Woodhead railway being reopened it would improve trans pennine transport links to the north east of the country. It should never have been closed in the first place.

With a general election only five months away feel this is political propaganda to sweeten us all up. Where is all this money coming from ?

[rigsby]

way back in the mid 80s there were huge drainage works alongside the road from the m57 to mottram lights . i delivered material to the job and the site agent said it was improving the drainage ready for the bypass to be built .nearly 30 years ago ! don’t hold your breath eh .

[the_yorkshireman]

I was told many years ago that during the war the Americans wanted, and offered to build a tunnel under the hill between Sheffield and T’other side to help facilitate the movement of munitions.

I think Sheffield council turned it down as, just like the channel tunnel now, there was a danger of too many people sneaking through and claiming asylum when they reached Penistone.

[waynedl]

rigsby:
way back in the mid 80s there were huge drainage works alongside the road from the m57 to mottram lights . i delivered material to the job and the site agent said it was improving the drainage ready for the bypass to be built .nearly 30 years ago ! don’t hold your breath eh .

Think you mean the M67

The Yorkshireman:
I was told many years ago that during the war the Americans wanted, and offered to build a tunnel under the hill between Sheffield and T’other side to help facilitate the movement of munitions.

I think Sheffield council turned it down as, just like the channel tunnel now, there was a danger of too many people sneaking through and claiming asylum when they reached Penistone.

He said ■■■■■

[rigsby]

m57 , m67 , i don’t care about the difference any more because i’m retired and don’t have to think where i’m going to end up .

[windrush]

I’m sure that my ancient Manchester A-Z has an A6 relief road dotted in to by-pass Furness Vale and New Mills, still wasn’t much happening around there a month ago!

Pete.

[the_maoster]

Overtaking lanes on the Woodhead will not make a blind bit of difference because I can absolutely guarantee that even if you climbed it at 44 tonne driving an old 190 Gardner you will get held up on the downhill sections by an empty curtainsider transporting one loose egg, Harold and Maude out sightseeing, a rep updating his profile on the move or someone who passes you on the straight and then ■■■■■■ his pants when there’s a corner next to a long drop ahead.

[left_hand_down]

midlifetrucker:
Pre election bovine sewage I’m afraid

This ^

None of the parties proposing these road “upgrades” have any intention of following through with it. It is merely soundbites in a futile attempt for you to put your X in their box come next May.

[knight2]

I for one hope they build the tunnel as Woodhead is one of my favourite drives and then I’ll be able to drive over in peace. Mind the bar stewards will probably put a seven and half ton limit on it.