National Grid, the UK based Utilities Corporation, are about to put beyond use the Woodhead Tunnel, and thereby a trans-pennine railway line alternative to the car/road nightmare.

In recent weeks, the Department of Transport have signalled their intention to expand the road network and hold back rail alternatives. The Woodhead line between Sheffield and Manchester and the Modern Woodhead Tunnel (built in 1954) were closed in 1981, leading to an increasingly disastrous road traffic situation in the North West of England and particularly the adjoining area of Longdendale.

Whilst National and local government have pushed for a destructive Bypass to the A628 trunk road, Woodhead remains shut and alternatives shut out. But the owners of the Tunnel, National Grid, are moving to close it for good and destroy any hope of future alternatives to the car monster. They plan to relocate electricity cables from the previous Victorian tunnels to the modern one, starting in February 2008.

There's precious little in terms of action being taken against this act of wilful vandalism by the State and local campaigners are desparate for any help they can get. A walk/bike ride is planned for December 8th, to coincide with the national climate march, but ideas for action are welcome. For more info (article to be posted soon), see  http://nomottrambypass.blogspot.com/ or contact  stuffyourbypass@gmail.com