Fears major landslip may shut Snake Pass for good

Landslips are a particular problem for Derbyshire's highways teams

The Peak District's infamous Snake Pass could potentially be shut for good by a major landslip.

Derbyshire County Council has warned that ongoing works to keep the A57 route linking Sheffield and Manchester open are not "long-term" solutions.

Increasingly frequent ongoing roadworks are able to keep the route open for now but should a large-scale issue arise, the road may have to shut for good.

It is a situation that the authority has faced before - in 1977, the A625 - which used to cross the Peak District near Mam Tor - had to shut due to a landslip.

Snake Pass, which is used by about 30,000 vehicles a week, exists in a constant state of slipping, explained Julian Gould, the council's highways director, and Councillor Charlotte Cupit, cabinet member for highways assets and transport, to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on a site visit this week.

Snake Pass is an increasing burden on council budgets

Roadworks are required on the route, which first opened through the Peak District in 1821, on average every six to 12 months, said the authority.

But with the constraints of a highways budget for the entire county of Derbyshire of £27m a year, Derbyshire County Council is lobbying the government and East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward for a potential "landslip fund".

Cupit said there was clearly a "unique" problem in Derbyshire, with the council facing 200 landslips across the county - including four along Snake Pass alone at present.

There are currently two sets of temporary traffic lights on the 12-mile Snake Road section of the route, at Gillott Hey and Alport, with significant damage at both sites, particularly at Alport, along with further damage at Wood Cottage.

Driving along the Wood Cottage section of the route has a 30mph limit and 7.5-tonne weight restriction due to "rippling" of the road surface.

The Snake Pass route will be temporarily closed from 14 to 25 October for surface repairs to the Gillott Hey and Alport landslip sections.

This will involve raised sections of the "rippling" road being trimmed off and a new top layer being added.

Roadworks are almost constant along the A57 through the Peak District

"Hundreds of millions would be needed for a full repair and the landslip at Gillott Hey would need tens of millions again," Mr Gould added.

"We are doing our best to manage it within the constraints of the budget we have got and are doing our best to retain access.

"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."