The Peaks and Dales corridor performs a strategic function, linking regions and communities between Greater Manchester, Derbyshire and the East Midlands.
It supports commuting, access to services, social inclusion, tourism and wider economic activity, often over longer distances and throughout the year.
At the same time, it passes through one of the UK’s most intensively used and protected national landscapes.
Accommodating growing movement demand through road expansion or traffic redistribution is not compatible with long‑term environmental, landscape or place‑based objectives.
This creates a fundamental challenge: how to support necessary movement while reducing pressure on roads, communities and the environment.
The Peaks and Dales Line Ltd Feasibility Study examined the regional connectivity between the North West and East Midland regions of England and also incorporates elements of South Yorkshire.
It has examined the unsustainable traffic problems, caused by Peak District National Park visitors, commuters travelling to, from and through the regions and residents who have all become car dependent due to the lack of suitable alternative.
Locations impacted include:
The Peak District, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak and the routes to, from and through these areas have been heavily congested for years as traffic continues to grow.
Roads are congested; buses, where available are delayed or cancelled due to the traffic and many communities have to rely on road vehicles just to get around.
Many communities are isolated with very limited or no public transport and as a result car ownership levels are high across these areas including households with multiple vehicles or for those that cannot access a vehicle, it reduces access to employment, leisure and healthcare facilities often leading to social isolation.
There are many ongoing and growing problems as a result of this situation including:
The Peaks and Dales Line Ltd Feasibility Study was started in late 2024, gathering a significant range of data and other evidence to evaluate how we can tackle these challenges in a way that works for people, communities, and the environment. Peaks and Dales Line Ltd own the feasibility study and are classified as the Project Sponsor.
The way we travel today is putting a huge strain on the regions, towns and villages on a daily basis and doing nothing only increases the problems.
Some of the issues that need to be addressed urgently include:
Walking & wheeling
cycling
buses
roadS
INTEGRATED TRANSPORT
NON-ROAD OPTIONS
National Park Visitors per Year
13-26 million
Percentage of visitors arriving by Car
85% +
Percentage of visitors who indicate they would switch to the train
25%
Vehicle 'Trips' Potentially Removed from Roads
1-4 million per year
Peaks and Dales Line Ltd has not received any public funding for work undertaken to date.
Early‑stage feasibility activity has been progressed using private resources and professionally structured inputs, appropriate to the scope and purpose of this stage of work.