Snake Pass - set to close?

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Mon 3 Feb 2025 11:55
Snake Pass - set to close? - Random

Anyone driven this? Not near to me and having rarely been to area not sure I ever have?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yrnz5wxgko

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Mon 3 Feb 2025 12:26
Snake Pass - set to close? - galileo

Anyone driven this? Not near to me and having rarely been to area not sure I ever have?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yrnz5wxgko

A few years since I drove along it, from Glossop to Ladybower reservoir and Hathersage, a very scenic route.

Seeing the powers that be can't even fix potholes on roads I don't rate the chances of the Snake pass being properly fixed.

My daughter has a philosophy that it is best to be a pessimist, then you are rarely disappointed.

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Mon 3 Feb 2025 12:33
Snake Pass - set to close? - Gibbo_Wirral

I can't imagine they'll close it - far too many farms and other places on it, which could mean a very long detour if they're the wrong side of the closure and need to get to Sheffield / Manchester

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Mon 3 Feb 2025 12:39
Snake Pass - set to close? - Andrew-T

Anyone driven this? Not near to me and having rarely been to area not sure I ever have?

A few years since I drove along it, from Glossop to Ladybower reservoir and Hathersage, a very scenic route.

Seeing the powers that be can't even fix potholes on roads I don't rate the chances of the Snake pass being properly fixed.

My daughter has a philosophy that it is best to be a pessimist, then you are rarely disappointed.

I have driven the A57 quite a few times over the years, the last time about 6 months ago, to Sheffield from Cheshire. Got to Mottram and noticed that nearly all traffic took the Penistone route - Glossop road very quiet, nice run over the hill, only to find a diversion in place via Bamford, presumably now reopened. I may do it again in a month or two.

My father's version of that philosophy was an additional Beatitude - Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall not be disappointed.

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Mon 3 Feb 2025 13:00
Snake Pass - set to close? - daveyjp

Many years since I have been along the Snake Pass, but for anyone in south/ west of Sheffield getting to Manchester without it is a headache, but as the Woodhead exists it appears that'll do!

It suffers a similar issue to the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton. Built on hills made of peat and little solid geology so landslips are common. Mam Tor was another alternative route, but that closed years ago and will never reopen, Winnats, Rushup is very scenic, but not a route for heavy traffic.

A59 is being rerouted and the new alignment is along the top of the hills, rather than on the slope, but as that's the only route (and also serves Menwitn Hill RAF/ US Airforce base!) a solution had to be found and funded,

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Mon 3 Feb 2025 16:21
Snake Pass - set to close? - mcb100
Last over there within the last few weeks, and it’s not in good shape.
There was a major bit of subsidence a few years ago that has never been more than patched, and retaining walls have fallen away leading to lane closures.
It’s just as quick, in fairness (but longer in distance) to go M62 to M1 and off at Meadowhall.
It’s the opposite side of Sheffield, but no great shakes.
Or if you’re determined to avoid the motorway, Woodhead Pass is getting (finally) an upgrade through the bottleneck at Tintwhistle.
As a drivers’ road, I’ve always felt it was a bit overrated.
As ever in the north of England, going North-South is pretty good, going East-West less so.

Edited by mcb100 on 03/02/2025 at 16:24

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Tue 4 Feb 2025 09:15
Snake Pass - set to close? - craig-pd130

Exactly this. The landslips that resulted in the current, three sets of temporary traffic lights happened two winters ago with no signs of any repairs being effected: the road is simply closed to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.

I can't see it ever being fixed properly as it needs major structural work to rebuild the road's foundations. There are several similar landslips / sinkholes appearing on roads across the peaks, too. These relatively narrow A- and B- roads were never designed or constructed with today's volume of traffic, nor the sheer weight of HGVs in mind.

The Snake used to be a brilliant motorbiking and cycling road, although you needed to choose your times for riding if you wanted an obstacle-free run.

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Tue 4 Feb 2025 13:18
Snake Pass - set to close? - Gibbo_Wirral
L Or if you’re determined to avoid the motorway, Woodhead Pass is getting (finally) an upgrade through the bottleneck at Tintwhistle.

Which will take you to the other bottlenecks in that area much quicker!

Plus, won't be finished for years.

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