Introduction

Translink is an organisation formed with the sole objective of reinstating the Woodhead railway line, as a Rolling Highway.

What is a Rolling Highway?

The Rolling Highway is a means of carrying accompanied Heavy Goods Vehicles by rail using “piggy back” trains.

The Rolling Highway would be a quick, safe and cost effective means of carrying freight across the Pennines; a credible alternative to using the heavily congested and dangerous A616/A628 single carriageway trunk road. It would not require large terminals with heavy lift equipment since the HGV vehicles simply roll on and roll off the low floor wagons. The Rolling Highway system has proved to be extremely successful in Europe for transportation across Alpine countries. See www.hupac.ch.