New Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig has pledged to make travel from the North West to cities such as Sheffield and Leeds 'easier', as she committed to working with other regional leaders to improve east-west transport connections.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Craig said she would collaborate with fellow mayors to find 'solutions' to the ongoing issues of lengthy and unreliable journeys across the Pennines. Her comments come amid renewed calls for a 14-mile tunnel between Manchester and Sheffield, a project estimated to cost around £2bn.
Current Journey Challenges
Drivers travelling from Manchester to Sheffield often rely on the Snake Pass (A57) through the Peak District, a route of approximately 40 miles that can take over an hour and a half during peak times. Rail passengers face journey times of 45 minutes to an hour on a service that also crosses the Peak District, with delays a common frustration.
Craig highlighted the inadequacy of current rail services, stating: "The reality for me is that train travel just isn't reliable enough, it isn't quick enough, and it isn't effective enough in this country, and we think that mayors will be able to help with that and be able to push for faster travel."
Reviving the Tunnel Proposal
The idea of a tunnel under the Pennines connecting Manchester and Sheffield was first explored a decade ago as a means to reduce congestion and boost connectivity between Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire. The proposal was eventually shelved, but a team known as Future Works has now revived it, suggesting the project could transform regional links.
Asked about the tunnel on Monday, Craig said: "I've been a long advocate of better east-west connections, we've seen throughout the debates we've been having about Northern Powerhouse Rail that getting to Leeds, getting to Sheffield or Bradford has to be made easier."
Northern Powerhouse Rail Ambitions
The Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) scheme is a broader initiative aimed at transforming rail travel across the North, including a new line between Manchester and Liverpool. The project could see up to £45bn invested, ultimately improving services for Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, and York.
NPR would be delivered in three phases. The first phase involves upgrades to lines east of the Pennines, including electrification of the Leeds-Bradford, Leeds-Sheffield, and Leeds-York corridors. The second phase would focus on a new line between Liverpool and Manchester, via Warrington and Manchester Airport. The third phase would then address better links across the Pennines.
Mayoral Collaboration
Craig expressed enthusiasm for working with Transport for the North and other mayors to push for faster travel. "I'm looking forward to getting stuck in over the next few weeks, working with colleagues in Transport for the North and linking up with other mayors to be able to see what solutions we can get," she said.
Her commitment signals a renewed focus on regional transport, with the potential to unlock significant economic benefits and improve daily commutes for thousands of residents across the North of England.
