£6bn Trans-Pennine tunnel plans underway
PLANS for the £6bn Trans-Pennine tunnel are moving forward with five potential routes announced.
In what the Government is calling “the most ambitious road scheme undertaken in the UK in more than five decades” a tunnel will be built between Manchester and Sheffield.
The plans were launched in autumn 2015 with ambitious plans to half the journey time between the cities – cutting it by 30 minutes.
All 5 routes join the M60 east of Manchester to the M1 north of Sheffield, with 4 options starting at the M67.
The plans would reduce traffic through the Peak District National Park
Options include:
Northern Corridor (A) – Extending as far west as the A627 and as far south as Ashton-under-Lyme. It would extend towards Barnsley and to the M1.
A628/A616 Corridor (B) – Follows existing route under the Peak District National Park, following the M67, A628 and A616.
Central Corridor (C) – Beginning near the M60 between junction 24 and 25. Passing north of the River Derwent Valley, it would join the M1 around junction 25.
Southern Corridor (D) – This option would also meet the M60 at junction 25 and extend towards the Manchester Airport Eastern link road. It would cover the A57/A630 dual carriageway and to the south of Sheffield.
Overlapping Corridor (E) – Heading south east, it would then head north east passing to the north of Stocksbridge crossing diagonally.
Transport Minister John Hayes said: “I want people in the north of England to benefit from quicker, more reliable journeys.
“Today’s study brings us a step closer to building a Trans-Pennine roads tunnel – it would be the most ambitious project since the construction of the first motorways 50 years ago.
“We are already spending £15 billion on the biggest upgrade to the road network for generations.
“This next phase is aimed at creating more vital links, creating jobs and opportunities and helping hardworking families across the country feel the benefits of our investment.
John Cridland, chairman of Transport for the North, added: “The study shows a tunnel beneath the Pennines would both boost the economy of the region, and potentially benefit the environment of the Peak District by reducing traffic in the national park.
“This is just one of the visionary projects Transport for the North is working on, as well as other schemes, such as Northern Powerhouse Rail, as we continue to develop a Transport & Investment Strategy to connect the North and transform its economy.”
Studies into the M25 south west quadrant, the Manchester north west quadrant and the Northern Trans-Pennine are also underway.
