New Trans-Pennine tunnel routes announcement Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Transport Forum comment

19th August 2016

Responding to the announcement that five routes have been shortlisted for the new trans-Pennine tunnel between Manchester and Sheffield, Peter Kennan, Chair of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Transport Forum, and Partner at Hawsons Chartered Accountants, said: -The Chamber Transport Forum has been monitoring this project closely.

-Identifying and announcing these routes is a welcome step, although still a long way short of us seeing the financial backing required the 'show us the money' stage. -But progress is being made which we welcome as this could revolutionise travel from parts of Sheffield City Region to Manchester. -We also still need to be convinced, however, that Sheffield City Centre would directly benefit without the addition of a new fast link road to the tunnel. A journey to the new route via Junction 33, 34 or 36 of the M1, with already severe congestion and major air quality issues at Meadowhall, would take not much less time than the present route over the A57 Snake Pass, despite all its numerous problems and also involves considerably increased mileage with the Co2 and fuel use consequences that entails.