https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Woodhead,+Glossop+SK13+1JD/@53.4967409,-1.8701638,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x487bce3038b1bd91:0x4b20a2b276dc139b!8m2!3d53.496729!4d-1.861409?hl=en
#ertarail The English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) is a nationwide membership based association independent of management or unions. We are committed to seeking local, conventional rail links restored and improved across the English Regions including and mainly reopenings, rebuilds and select new builds.
In the north, we wish to see the following lines rebuilt: Keswick, Colne-Skipton, York-Beverley, Harrogate-Ripon-Northallerton, Matlock-Buxton/Chinley and finally the Woodhead line.
We are concerned that as population rises and (in normal times) traffic and development inform more of each other, we need to embrace that these select rail links could find a new role in today's society and going forwards.
The past is one thing, but you cannot live on just nostalgia nor scenery. The railways help to reduce road traffic, cut congestion, save precious land and beauty spots from being overrun by endless demands for land for parking, when there's a need for that same land to be used for other things beit employment, housing, landscape or conservation.
I appeal to your support especially reopening the Woodhead line:
1. It would take on the following roads A628 direct, M62, M1, A629, A6018.
2. It would give more rail capacity between Sheffield and Manchester
3. It could handle freight and passenger demand
4. It could have a new tunnel and realignments where necessary or expedient.
5. It would feed and be fed by other local and regional rail links enabling more by rail overall.
6. It is not just a local consideration, but part of a land bridge between Europe/North Sea/Hull and the North East to Liverpool/North West/Atlantic and America potentially, ship to rail and vice versa.
7. Rail is the best way to conserve the best of our National Parks in a sustainable fashion, checking volumes, cutting pollution and informing footfall and spending minus the traffic.
We are concerned about HS3 and High Speed generally, being expensive, serving mainly passenger only, wide gaps between principal stations, leaves all in between to whatever rail exists or default road more. We believe that lines like Woodhead need:
1. Protection from further erosion/intrusion/keeping open for potential re-railing
2. Please round table and apply to the Government's Rail Study Fund for informing a pot to commission a study to evaluate it, compare it and see what is to be gained on and off the rails.
3. We believe in a mindset which seeks to overcome the problems of reopening this rail link, and looks at the wider gains and the throw-away of an asset which stood for many decades and survived Beeching only to be axed under the Serpell Closures of the early 1980's. There was no democracy about the closures, they were implemented often against local people's wishes by stealth and the result is we are poorer and less equipped now in a time and situation whereby we need these strategic rail links and the benefits they afford.
When unlock is lifted and things get back to some sort of normal, we hope to table forums and meetings to bring people together. Meanwhile we urge councils to talk together, work together and put this rail link at the centre of revival and regeneration plans please.
ERTA welcomes all kind interest and support. For all responses and potential liaison and working together, please contact my colleague Mr Simon Barber (T. 0208 940 4399, E. simon4barber@gmail.com) who undoubtedly will create a growing database of support. It is an investment in ourselves. You may also find perusal of our Blogspot useful: https://
Yours sincerely,
Richard Pill
ERTA Chairman
23 July 2020
Press Release
Rail
Reopenings, Rebuilds and select new build means a new Woodhead rail link is
needed.
ERTA supports the rebuild of
the former Woodhead Railway linking not just Sheffield and Manchester but
Hull-Liverpool land bridge and all in between. We are concerned that some new
lines may only cater for passenger only and freight by defaultive lines, relies
on existing lines which between the Midland Main Line and Manchester are scant
and inadequate. More lines mean more capacity and in normal times catering for
more usership on the rails and more freight by rail also needs to consider the
environmental benefit of sending more by rail and modal shift being catered
for. You cannot do this without rebuilding lines like the Woodhead Rail Link
and Matlock-Buxton/Chinley is another line ERTA fully supports for rebuild.
In our view the line would:
1. It would take on the following roads A628 direct, M62, M1, A629,
A6018.
2. It would give more rail capacity between Sheffield and Manchester
3. It could handle freight and passenger demand
4. It could have a new tunnel and realignments where necessary or
expedient.
5. It would feed and be fed by other local and regional rail links
enabling more by rail overall.
6. Rail is the best way to conserve the best of our National Parks in a
sustainable fashion, checking volumes, cutting pollution and informing footfall
and spending minus the traffic.
End of Press Release
Further comment: Mr Richard Pill, Chairman 01234 330090 or richard.erta@gmail.com
Further information via our Blogspot: https://ertarailvolunteer.blogspot.com/ Useful
contextual web link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48964736
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