The Woodhead Manchester-Sheffield rail route, closed since 1981, is under threat of permanent extinction. But it can still be saved with your help.

Against the wishes of the Peak District National Park and local MPs, National Grid are proposing to re-cable their power lines through the (new) 1954 Woodhead tunnel and eliminate forever this low carbon, trans-Pennine freight and passenger route.

We’re calling for National Grid to find an alternative and campaigning to re-open the Woodhead rail route.We all now understand the need to fight climate change yet this move will see a cheap, simple solution irretrievably lost.

The Government are demonstrating gross hypocrisy on the issue. While claiming to be committed to cutting carbon emissions they have refused to halt National Grid's work yet are putting millions into airport expansion.

People who wish to come are asked to make their own way to the tunnel, preferably using the Longdendale Trail (the old trackbed) traveling on foot or bicycle, but you can also travel along the B6105 to join the Trail if you can get a lift. Alternatively, you can drive to the site turning off the A628. Parking is limited and the roads are precarious - please ensure that your own and others safety is paramount.

If you wish to walk or cycle, the best place to join the demo is at either the bus stop or Railway Station in Hadfield. There are regular trains to and from Manchester every 30 minutes, and hourly buses. The route from Hadfield to Woodhead is 6.3 miles long, and although the trail is completely level, you must be reasonably fit to walk and cycle there and back.

A map of the route is available in a separate window, the link is here:
 http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100950118038398329239.000441a586b51a597a528&z=13&om=1

A flier & more details will be available in due course.