Drivers have been warned that the iconic Snake Pass in the Peak District could face permanent closure due to the looming threat of a major landslip.
Derbyshire County Council has warned that the A57 route, which links Sheffield and Manchester, is currently kept open through frequent roadworks but these measures are not considered “long-term solutions”.
With approximately 30,000 vehicles using Snake Pass weekly, the potential closure could have significant implications for regional transport.
The historic A57 Snake Pass, which first opened in 1821, requires maintenance every six to 12 months to remain operational.
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Snake Pass is often closed out of precaution during periods of poor weather
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But Julian Gould, the council's highways director, and Councillor Charlotte Cupit explained that the road exists in a constant state of slipping.
This precarious situation echoes a similar incident in 1977 when the A625 near Mam Tor had to be permanently closed due to a landslip.
Currently, two sets of temporary traffic lights are in place at Gillott Hey and Alport, where significant damage has occurred. The Wood Cottage section has a 30mph speed limit and a 7.5-tonne weight restriction due to road surface "rippling".
However, from 14 to 25 October, the route will be temporarily closed for surface repairs. This closure will allow for the trimming of raised sections and the addition of a new top layer at the Gillott Hey and Alport landslip areas.
Cupit highlighted the "unique" problem in Derbyshire, with the council facing 200 landslips across the county, including four along Snake Pass alone.
Derbyshire County Council warned it faces significant challenges in maintaining Snake Pass, with a limited annual highways budget of £27million for the entire county.
This constraint has prompted the council to lobby the new Labour Government and East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward for a potential "landslip fund".
Gould said: "Hundreds of millions would be needed for a full repair and the landslip at Gillott Hey would need tens of millions again. We can't rule out the possibility that it could be closed. If there was a major landslip it would be beyond what we can do."
This precarious situation underscores the urgent need for additional funding to address the ongoing landslip issues plaguing Snake Pass and other routes in Derbyshire.
Despite ongoing efforts to maintain access, the future of Snake Pass remains uncertain. The council is implementing temporary closures and traffic management measures to address immediate concerns.
However, a full repair of the route would require an investment of hundreds of millions of pounds.
Gould emphasised their commitment to retaining access within budget constraints. Despite this, he cautioned that a major landslip could force a permanent closure of the road, as it would be beyond the council's capabilities to address.
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The road would need millions of pounds worth of repairs
PAIn response to the potential closure, one driver said: “Great route if you respect the lumps bumps and twists; driven it no problem 100s of times but tough geology (especially the section from Lockerbrook crossroads all the way up Woodlands to Fairbrook corner) to build a sound route on. Similar slip issues basically that did for the Mam Tor Rd.”
Another local resident stated: “Oh great that means the Woodhead will get even more traffic but the villages can’t take it.
“Accidents are a weekly occurrence and queues up to Mottram from Tintwistle happen almost daily. What about the residents of these villages???”
