TRAINS could be thundering through two disused rail tunnels under the Pennines as part of a £530m transport scheme.
Network Rail plans to re-open the two single track tunnels linking Marsden and Diggle to supplement the one twin track tunnel in use.
The aim is to provide more frequent trains between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester.
The organisation responsible for rail track and signalling is considering re-using the tunnels as part of its £530m Northern Hub initiative to improve rail services across Yorkshire and the north-west.
It claims the improvements would generate £4bn in economic benefits for the Yorkshire and the north-west.
Network Rail hopes to get government approval for its plans in 2012 and to begin work in 2014 to restore the tunnels.
Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney – who drove through one of the three-mile tunnels with Network Rail chiefs – is lobbying ministers for money to fund the venture.
He said: “Opening the tunnels would expand the line between Leeds and Manchester.
“It would allow an increase in the number of trans-Pennine express trains from four an hour to six an hour and it would mean an investment in extra rolling stock.
“The tunnels are not particularly visible from the train, but they have been kept secured behind gates and are in good condition.
The Tory MP said he would be urging Chancellor George Osborne to provide funding for Network Rail’s Northern Hub proposals.
Mr McCartney said he hoped the scheme – which would also help cut congestion on the busy commuter route – would get the go-ahead despite government cuts to be detailed next month.
“There is some good news,” he said. “Money is being allocated for major spending projects. We just have to make sure they are good project with long-term benefits.
“In this case, we are talking about a project which will bring benefit for a hundred years.”
Network Rail said the £530m Northern Hub investment package was needed to support “significant growth” in rail travel across the north and help drive economic prosperity.
The plans include a 40% increase in trains per day across the region – 700 extra services, capacity for a further 3.5m passengers a year and more frequent services for Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.
Opening the tunnels and laying new track would remove “historic bottlenecks” between Huddersfield and Manchester – allowing express trains to overtake and run at speed while still providing space for vital local stopping services and freight.
Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, said: “Rail is already a massive success story in the north with many thousands of people travelling with us every day and more than 90% of services arriving on time.”
