CAMPAIGNERS for the reopening of one of the Woodhead Tunnels as a railway have been given renewed hope after a U-turn by owners National Grid.

The move comes after Hillsborough MP Angela Smith, who has been leading the fight to keep the Woodhead Tunnels available for rail use, met with Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly to discuss the tunnel's future.

Two of the three tunnels carry main electricity cables over the Pennines. Now National Grid wants to use the later 1953 tunnel for cabling as the two Victorian Tunnels are deteriorating. This would mean that the long held ambition of running trains through the tunnel again, minimising the impact of traffic along the A628, would be in jeopardy.

Angela said: "The Woodhead tunnel is in my opinion of vital importance to the whole of the North. Along with many others I have long held an ambition to see trains running through the tunnels again. The Woodhead route, if reopened, could play a key part in reducing congestion on the roads and in encouraging the use of rail for freight traffic."

"I am hopeful that a solution can be found whereby it will be possible to maintain the option of using the 1953 tunnel as part of a new Trans-Pennine rail link, as and when it is seen that such a link is required."

More than 60 MPs recently signed a motion calling on the government to step in and preserve the tunnels for transport.

Barnsley West and Penistone MP Mick Clapham said this is a huge turnaround because a year ago National Grid said the decision had already been made. He said: "The cost of repairing the tunnel will be substantial but we need a freight line to link the northern and southern economies to Europe. The alternative of putting pylons in the Peak Park would cause a huge stink and encroach on an area of such beauty. "The government or some of the energy companies that benefit from these cables should help National Grid with the cost of repairing the old tunnels."