The campaign to save the Woodhead Tunnel for public transport initiatives rather than allowing the National Grid to take it over for electricity cables, then seal up the two smaller tunnels it presently uses has caused a huge amount of public concern and debate.  Apparently once taken over for cables, it cannot be used for anything else for forty years, i.e. the life span of the cables.  It does seem like a great missed opportunity to improve public transport networks – if the work goes ahead without full investigation to decide on the best use for the tunnel.  The only problem is that all three tunnels seem to be owned by the National Grid …

The  Electoral Reform Society has strongly come out against Government Proposals for MPs to decide how they should be elected – whether to make their appointment truly representative or keep our present first past the post voting systems.  See the Make My Vote Count web site - a coalition lobby group, with an on-line petition and loads of info.