[from Network Rail press release, 16 September 2024]
Images have been released showing the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) changes coming to the railway and stations between Stalybridge tunnel and Diggle (Saddleworth).
The public consultation on this area of the route is now open and will close on 25 October 2024. A virtual consultation room and feedback form is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/stalybridgetodiggle.
Further images show the relocated Mossley station, and the upgraded Greenfield station. Both will see accessibility improvements for the first time in their history.
Images have also been released of how overhead line equipment (OLE) will be sensitively installed on the historic Uppermill Viaduct, also known as Saddleworth Viaduct. The locations of the OLE masts have been considerately designed to avoid the most visible areas of the viaduct where possible.
Oldham Road Bridge (next to Greenfield station) will be reconstructed by TRU, to facilitate the installation of OLE and to allow larger freight trains to pass through. New images show a footbridge is to be constructed from Oldham Road to Shaw Hall Bank Road adjacent to the existing Oldham Road Bridge. This will separate pedestrians from traffic and improve safety.
Alongside the online public consultation, there will be three in-person drop-in events to view the plans and speak with TRU staff:
18 September 2024 3pm-8pm St Peters RC Church, 119 Brierley Street, Stalybridge SK15 2E
19 September 2024 3pm-8pm Saddleworth Rangers RLFC, Shaw Hall Bank Road, Greenfield OL3 7LD
20 September 2024 3pm-8pm Mossley Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Mossley OL5 0EX
This consultation does not appear to be aimed at passengers, and is limited in its scope.
Network Rail state that:
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade wants to take the public with us on this transformational journey for rail in the North of England. Our proposals from Stalybridge to Diggle will bring substantial benefits to rail passengers and businesses in this area.”
So what are the “substantial benefits to rail passengers and businesses in this area”? Nothing in this consultation attempts to answer that question. How can they expect to “take the public with them” when they don’t say what the scheme will deliver for the travelling public?
The most obvious question, of what the completed scheme will deliver for these communities, doesn’t feature in this “consultation”.
Whenever we ask whether it will deliver a more frequent stopping service “for rail passengers and businesses in this area” Network Rail either pretend the question was never asked, or offer the wording “up to two trains per hour”, which is meaningless and may even represent a reduction from the present inadequate service.
Quite clearly this is not a topic which Network Rail think might be important in the context of development of rail infrastructure projects.
