Snake Pass, one of the UK’s most iconic and scenic driving routes, is facing an uncertain future. Known for its serpentine twists and turns, the road has been a popular destination for motorists, cyclists, and tourists alike.
Stretching through the heart of the Peak District, it connects Sheffield and Manchester, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding moors.
However, frequent closures caused by landslips and extreme weather conditions have raised alarms about the sustainability of the road.
With the Derbyshire County Council struggling to finance the necessary repairs, there are growing concerns that Snake Pass could soon close to cars indefinitely. But what lies ahead for this historic route?
A Road Steeped in History
Built in 1821, Snake Pass is over 200 years old. It was originally constructed as a turnpike to connect Sheffield with Manchester, facilitating the transport of goods like iron and steel.
The road was created during a time of rapid industrial growth, as Sheffield’s steel industry boomed and sought out trade opportunities in the west, including Manchester and Liverpool.
The road’s early years were marked by financial difficulty. Despite its strategic importance, it struggled to generate enough revenue to maintain itself.
Its steep and exposed summit, sitting at nearly 1,700 feet, made it vulnerable to harsh winter weather, frequently shutting it down for months due to snow.
The situation worsened with the advent of the railways in the 1840s, which provided a faster and more reliable alternative for transport.
As a result, Snake Pass fell into relative disuse for nearly 80 years, only to be rediscovered by cyclists and motorists in the early 20th century.
The name “Snake Pass” is often mistakenly attributed to the winding nature of the road, but it actually comes from the Snake Inn, a pub that became a popular stopping point for tourists.
The pub’s name, associated with the Duke of Devonshire’s emblem of a snake, was eventually transferred to the road. Although the pub closed in 2019, its legacy continues to live on as the name that defines this historic route.
Snake Pass in Popular Culture
Despite its financial struggles, Snake Pass became an enduring feature of British culture. In the late 20th century, the road featured prominently in music and film.
The Manchester band Inspiral Carpets filmed the music video for their hit song “This Is How It Feels” at the summit of Snake Pass.
Similarly, Sheffield’s The Human League referenced the road in their album track “The Snake,” capturing the mystique of the moors and the road’s challenging climb.
Snake Pass has also made appearances in television and film, such as the 2007 drama And When Did You Last See Your Father? starring Colin Firth.
Its iconic twists and stunning views have continued to inspire artists, filmmakers, and musicians, cementing its place in British cultural history.
The Road’s Ongoing Struggles
Despite its cultural significance, Snake Pass has faced significant challenges in recent years. One of the most persistent issues is the frequent closures caused by landslips.
Derbyshire, known for its steep hills and moorland, is no stranger to geological instability, and Snake Pass is particularly vulnerable due to its location and the type of terrain it traverses.
Charlotte Cupit, the cabinet member for transport at Derbyshire County Council, has highlighted the growing issue of landslips across the county.
“We seem to have a particular challenge in Derbyshire with landslips. We’ve got over 200 landslips that we’re trying to manage,” she explained.
The problem has become even more acute with increasingly extreme weather events, which have intensified the frequency and severity of landslides.
Winter weather also presents a major challenge. Heavy snow and ice make the road treacherous, often forcing authorities to close it for safety reasons.
“One of the things we say in Glossop is that if it’s snowing hard in Glossop, the Snake will already have closed,” said Roger Hargreaves, director of the Glossop Heritage Trust.
The combination of frequent snowfalls and unstable geology has made the maintenance of Snake Pass a daunting task.
Financial Strain and Government Intervention
As landslips continue to cause damage to the road, Derbyshire County Council has been forced to divert resources to resurface Snake Pass. However, the cost of major repairs is growing, and the council is struggling to fund the necessary work.
“There’s one place on Snake, at Alport, where you can see that half the road has gone,” Cupit said.
To mitigate the issue, traffic lights have been installed to allow single-lane traffic, but the repairs needed to restore the road to full functionality are expected to cost millions of pounds.
The council has made several requests to the UK government for financial assistance, including a “landslips fund” to help maintain the road.
However, the Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that it is not responsible for Snake Pass and does not have contingency funding for repairs of this nature.
This has left Derbyshire County Council facing a stark reality: without external financial support, the road’s future is uncertain.
“There are four landslips along Snake Pass at the moment, of varying degrees of severity,” Cupit warned. “That’s quite a big alarm bell that potentially there could be a bigger source of movement.”
If a major landslip were to occur, the road could be rendered impassable, with no immediate solution in sight.
The situation echoes the fate of another road in the Peak District, the A625, which was closed in 1979 after a series of landslides made it too dangerous to use.
The Road’s Future: Could It Close to Cars?
As the financial and environmental challenges mount, there is increasing concern that Snake Pass could be permanently closed to motor vehicles.
With the road’s strategic importance linking Sheffield and Manchester, its closure would significantly impact travel between these cities.
However, the council has acknowledged that without significant financial backing, they may not be able to keep the road open for much longer.
If Snake Pass does close to cars, it could be repurposed as a walking and cycling route, similar to the nearby Monsal Trail. Cycling advocate Harry Gray has suggested that turning the road into a leisure route could bring significant benefits to the local economy.
“Snake Pass could become one of the most famous walking and cycling routes in Britain if the road has to close,” Gray said.
He noted that the Monsal Trail, which attracts over 300,000 visitors annually, has stimulated local tourism and even led to the creation of new businesses along the route.
Cycling events like the Tour of Britain have already showcased the appeal of Snake Pass as a challenging climb for cyclists. If the road is repurposed, it could become a key destination for leisure cyclists and hikers, much like the Peak District’s other popular trails.
The Legacy of Snake Pass
The future of Snake Pass hangs in the balance. While its breathtaking scenery and rich history have made it a beloved landmark, the road is increasingly threatened by the forces of nature and financial constraints.
The growing issue of landslips, combined with limited government support, means that the road’s days as a functioning route for motor vehicles could be numbered.
However, even if Snake Pass is ultimately closed to cars, it is likely that its legacy will endure. Whether repurposed as a walking and cycling trail or preserved as a historical site, Snake Pass will continue to inspire future generations.
Its status as a cultural and natural icon ensures that it will remain an integral part of the Peak District’s identity for years to come.
As Derbyshire County Council grapples with the challenges of maintaining the road, the question remains: will Snake Pass continue to wind its way through the moors, or will it be relegated to the history books?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Snake Pass will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who have experienced its serpentine beauty firsthand.
