
Considered one of the most scenic drives in the UK, many are familiar with Snake Pass in the Peak District, however there have been warnings that the A57 road could be closed to cars indefinitely. Around 30,000 vehicles use the infamous winding road spanning 26 miles (42 km) and linking Sheffield and Greater Manchester each week, including 1,500 heavy goods vehicles, but despite offering dreamy views, its future could be quite the opposite for those trying to travel to and from those cities.
Why might Snake Pass be closed to cars?
Snake Pass has a bit of a reputation for closures, especially during the winter months due to ice and snow, making it too dangerous to drive along. Another reason for the road’s closure is landslips, of which have become so frequent that Derbyshire County Council has warned it cannot afford to keep repairing the road, and has asked for government help to keep it open.
The 12-mile section of the A57, known as Snake Road, is one of the highest roads in the Peak District and historical records suggest landslips have taken place along the Snake Pass with closures dating back at least 90 years. The winding road is said to be named after the serpent that appears on the Duke of Devonshire coat of arms.
Speaking to the BBC, Charlotte Cupit, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “I think that Snake Pass because of the geology of the area has always been a bit of a challenge in terms of landslips and movement in the area. We seem to have a particular challenge in Derbyshire with landslips. We’ve got over 200 landslips that we’re trying to manage.”
The cabinet member for transport said the problems seemed to be getting worse due to some floods and big snowfall events. As one of the highest points in the country, Cupit said Snake Pass “bears the brunt” when it comes to extreme weather conditions.
For instance, the county council had to temporarily close the A57 Snake Pass in February 2022 following a battering from Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin. The storms damaged the road surface and foundations at three sites – Gillot Hey, Wood Cottage and Alport.
Half of the road at the latter site is said to have gone resulting in the council installing traffic lights so that cars can still use one of the lanes. However, should there be a major landslip on Snake Pass, Derbyshire County Council says it does not have the resources to deal with it.
What could the road be used for instead?
Snake Pass along the A57 is a popular route with cyclists and it forms part of the Tour of Britain and Tour of the Peak competitions, with some suggesting the road could be closed to drivers to mitigate issues. When Snake Pass has been closed to cars due to landslips occurring, some cyclists have even taken the opportunity of the vehicle-free road by participating in the Snake Pass Trespass event.
One campaigner, Harry Gray, told the BBC that the road should be turned into a route for cyclists and pedestrians in a move similar to the Monsal Trail, also in the Peak District.