One of the most iconic roads in the UK could ban drivers from taking their cars along the route over continued fears motorists could be making conditions worse.
Snake Pass is situated on the A57 between Manchester and Sheffield, and is known as a historic driving route for petrolheads with its winding roads and impressive views.
The road, which can be found in the Peak District, attracts around 30,000 vehicles every day, including 1,500 HGVs. It is also known to suffer from landslips and other problematic weather issues.
In 2022, Derbyshire County Council had to temporarily close the A57 Snake Pass because of a “battering” following Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin.
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Experts are considering whether to ban vehicles from the historic A57 Snake Pass
PA
During this time, 20mph speed limits and traffic lights were installed, while all HGVs were asked to follow a signed diversion route.
Snake Pass is often closed in the winter months because of snow and ice making it hazardous for motorists, while experts have noted that landslips are having a bigger impact each time.
Charlotte Cupit, cabinet member for transport at Derbyshire County Council, 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.
“Sadly with some of the floods, and some of the big snowfall events, Snake bears the brunt of that quite often because it’s one of the highest points in the county,” she told the BBC.
Accidents along Snake Pass are common in the winter
PA
The council admitted that it was having to deal with landslips and road issues at a more frequent rate, noting that funding for road repairs is having a huge impact on its finances.
Cupit claimed that “half the road has gone” along one of the routes in Alport, with traffic lights being installed to deal with any potential traffic issues.
The council receives a base rate of £27million for road repairs, although that funding is spread across around 3,500 miles of roads, prompting it to call on the Department for Transport to provide a “landslip fund”, although this has been rejected.
While the DfT has recognised that Derbyshire County Council is dealing with specific problems in relation to landslips in the area, other regions across the country are doing the same.
The A57 Snake Pass route is very popular with drivers
PA
Cupit said: “There are four landslips along Snake Pass at the moment, of varying degrees of severity. That’s quite a big alarm bell that potentially there could be a bigger source of movement.”
Snake Pass along the A57 is popular with cyclists and forms part of the Tour of Britain and Tour of the Peak competitions, with some experts suggesting the road could be closed to drivers to mitigate issues.
Some cycling enthusiasts even increase their activity in the area when landslips occur, with the Snake Pass Trespass becoming more popular in recent years.
One campaigner, Harry Gray, told the BBC that the road should be turned into a route for cyclists and pedestrians in a move that follows in the footsteps of the Monsal Trail.
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The Monsal Trail is only available to pedestrians and cyclists
PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK
The Monsal Trail follows the former route of the Manchester to London Midland Railway line and features plenty of amenities, viaducts with impressive views and even rocks from 350 million years ago.
Gray said: “Snake Pass could become like that. It could become one of the most famous walking and cycling routes in Britain, if the road has to close.”