- SAVE WOODHEAD TUNNEL RALLY - Saturday 2nd August 2.00pm prompt

Save The Woodhead Tunnel Group are having a rally at the tunnel head this coming Saturday (2nd August) to raise awareness of the group and its aims. They also want to make the public aware of plans by National Grid to use the modern 50's tunnel to route power cables. A full Press Statement and map of the venue are available on their blog: here

The group feel the future of the tunnel should be to run freight and passenger services between two of the countries major cities, rather than merely allowing a private company to save money at the expense a potentially strategic route of national importance for rail. They are calling for the government to re-open the historic Woodhead line.

Local activists argue the re-opened line would relieve congestion on local roads, boost the local economy and open up the area to tourists. A spokesperson for the group states:

"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. To re-iterate , the event commences at 2.00pm on Saturday 2nd August at 2.00pm.

For anyone who is unsure of the venue there is a map of the area which can be found on the Save Woodhead Tunnel blog by clicking here . For anyone who has cycled the Longdendale trail before, you will find the tunnel head at the end of the trail, assuming of course you began at Hadfield. If you begin at the other end you're already there!

Most people will be attending by cycle. I would suggest getting on the trail at Hadfield by 1.00pm. A leisurely pace will see you arrive in plenty of time.

If the weather is anything like today it should be a fun day out. Enjoy.