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<p>The Government announced on 5 November 2013 that it would not be purchasing the
Victorian rail tunnels at Woodhead on the former Manchester to Sheffield line from
National Grid in order to instigate an inspection and maintenance regime on those
tunnels. This decision, taken following consultation with 40 local MPs, statutory
bodies, and Network Rail reflected the following key considerations:</p><p> </p><p>a)
The Government has committed funding to the Northern Hub programme. This includes
schemes to increase capacity and line speeds on the Hope Valley route between Manchester
and Sheffield.</p><p> </p><p>b) A study carried out by Network Rail indicates that
demand for travel between Manchester and Sheffield could more than double in thirty
years. With the planned investment, the Hope Valley line and its trains could accommodate
this growth. If freight grows, schemes have also been identified which could enable
more freight trains to run.</p><p> </p><p>c) The Victorian tunnels were not in a good
condition and would have required on-going funding to keep them in a condition necessary
for possible re-use. These costs would have fallen on the taxpayer or meant less money
for other vital rail investment in the north.</p><p> </p><p>d) If an additional rail
route is required between Manchester and Sheffield, it is unlikely that even the modern
tunnel at Woodhead would be suitable for re-use and, given advances in tunnelling
technology as witnessed by Crossrail, the best solution is most likely to be the construction
of a new tunnel.</p><p> </p><p>Further background to this decision can be found in
my statement: <em>Official Report, </em>5 November 2013, Column WS12.</p><p> </p><p>
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