Norwegian tunnelling technique could cut costs of Peak District road link

A proposed 14-mile tunnel beneath the Peak District could link Manchester and Sheffield using a Norwegian construction method that significantly reduces costs, according to infrastructure group Future Works.

The project, called Trans-Pennine Connect, would create a dual carriageway under the Derbyshire national park. Previous government estimates put the cost at £10.6bn using conventional UK tunnel-boring machines, but backers say a drill-and-blast technique commonly used in Norway could make it more affordable.

The method relies on smaller specialist teams and the natural strength of surrounding rock rather than large boring machines. Future Works claims the tunnel would cut journey times by up to 30 minutes and generate billions in economic benefits.

About 20,000 vehicles currently cross the Peak District daily, including many lorries. The tunnel would remove traffic from environmentally sensitive areas and allow parts of the existing route to be restored to nature, supporters say.

The East Midlands County Combined Authority has welcomed the proposal, though the government has previously dismissed tunnel plans for financial and environmental reasons.

Gilbert