A proposed 14-mile road tunnel beneath the Peak District, linking Manchester and Sheffield, has been revived by infrastructure group Future Works. The scheme matters because it aims to ease chronic congestion on routes including the A628, improve connections between two major northern cities and remove through-traffic from the National Park, though it remains an early proposal rather than an approved project.

The dual carriageway tunnel, branded Trans-Pennine Connect, could cut journeys by up to 30 minutes and support restoration of the former Woodhead rail line. Future Works says a Norwegian-style drill-and-blast construction method could reduce the cost to under £2bn, compared with earlier government estimates of £7.8bn to £11.6bn; it suggests tolls and private or local investment could fund the project.