[Netnews-action] 18 Dec: Save the woodhead tunnel

[campaigns]

-------- Forwarded Message --------

> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Hello,
> 
> This is an update on the Save Woodhead Tunnel meeting on Tuesday 18th
> December at Bradbury House, Glossop.
> 
> The meeting is in order to share information on the National Grid's
> plans for the Woodhead Tunnel and to help plan a campaign against it.
> The meeting will involve facilitated discussion and active involvement
> from those attending, please come with thoughts and ideas.
> 
> There will be a range of people attending from rail enthusiasts and
> environmental campaigners to transport partnerships and local
> councilors. The common ground between participants is an opposition to
> the National Grid's plans for the Woodhead Tunnel and a broad
> consensus that the route should be
>  re-opened to rail.
> 
> The meeting will start at 7pm and end promptly at 9.30pm. We don't
> have much time so please make sure you arrive in plenty of time.
> 
> The meeting is at Bradbury Community House which is just off the High
> Street in Glossop. More information on location and parking available
> here: http://www.glossop.com/bch/index.htm
> 
> Agenda
> Facilitator: Jonathan Atkinson
> 
> Start time: 7pm
> 7.00-7.15pm Introductions
> 7.15 - 7.45pm Presentations and questions on current situation at
> Woodhead from CPRE (Council for the Protection of Rural England),
> Transport 2000 and an independent rail consultant
> 
> The meeting will split into smaller groups to discuss specific campaign
>  ideas:
> 
> 7.45 - 8.15pm Open Space Discussion (part 1)
> 8.15-8.30pm Break
> 8.30 - 9pm Open Space Discussion (part 2)
> 
> 9 -9.30pm Small groups feedback + discussion on next
>  steps
> 9.30pm END and retire to near by pub
> 
> Looking forward to seeing you there.
> 
> Cheers,
> Jonathan

As you might be aware the Woodhead Tunnel, vital for a re-opened
freight service on the rail line between Sheffield and Manchester,
faces permanent closure to trains due to an impending decision by the 
National Grid to use the tunnel for cabling.

Obviously this means freight will remain on the road - bad for the
environment and damaging the hopes of opposing the Mottram Tintwistle
bypass.