CAMPAIGNERS hoping to persuade the Government to reopen the Woodhead Tunnel held a demonstration as part of their fight to revive the route.
More than 50 people from both sides of the Peak District gathered at the Woodhead Tunnel following a four hour hike. One demonstrator came all the way from Southampton.
The tunnel has been closed for more than 20 years but its backers say reopenin
g the route between Sheffield and Manchester would help beat worsening congestion on our roads as well as helping in the fight against climate change.
The campaigners heard from speakers before listening to music on a sound system which had been towed to the tunnel entrance on bicycles.
Representatives of Save the Woodhead Tunnel meet transport secretary Ruth Kelly in October to press their case for the reopening of the tunnel.
Jonathan Atkinson, of Save the Woodhead Tunnel, said: "Everyone now sees the common sense case in reopening the Woodhead Line - local MPs, businesses and unions, the Northern Way and now the local community have demonstrated their support. It's up to Ruth Kelly and the Department for Transport to pull their fingers out and include Woodhead in the Transport White Paper."
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