A 14-mile dual carriageway tunnel beneath the Pennines would link Manchester and Sheffield, reducing journey times by up to 30 minutes, under plans drawn up by Future Works. The scheme, named Trans-Pennine Connect, is backed by a £2 billion price tag using a Norwegian-inspired construction technique.
The Proposal
Future Works, an infrastructure group, has proposed building the tunnel to ease traffic through the Peak District National Park. The 14-mile dual carriageway would run between Manchester and Sheffield, with vehicles travelling underground rather than through the national park. Supporters say around 20,000 vehicles cross the Peak District daily, including many lorries, often facing long delays or diversions due to limited road connections.
The project would also involve relocating existing electricity infrastructure, potentially allowing the former Woodhead railway line between Manchester and Sheffield to be restored, according to campaigners.
Cost and Construction Method
Future Works believes the tunnel can be built for under £2 billion using a "drill and blast" technique widely used in Norway. This method uses smaller specialist teams and takes advantage of the surrounding rock, reducing costs compared to the large tunnel-boring machines common in UK projects. An earlier government assessment estimated a tunnel built with conventional methods could cost around £10.6 billion. The group plans to fund the tunnel through tolls charged to motorists.
Government and Authority Responses
The proposal has not received backing from the government. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We remain committed to investing in projects that deliver for the taxpayer and drive growth, however we have no plans for a trans-Pennine tunnel due to significant financial and environmental costs." National Highways has already identified measures to strengthen safety and resilience along the A628/A616 corridor as part of safety improvements in the third Road Investment Strategy.
The East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA) welcomed discussion around proposals that could improve transport links and reduce costs. A spokesperson said: "We recognise that poor transport connections continue to hold back economic growth across the Midlands and the North. Crossing the Peak District is one example, but there are many others, including the A38 improvements in Derby and the A46 at Newark, which are much closer to delivery and remain important priorities."
