A57 Snake Pass to Sheffield to close for first of four landslip investigations needed for ‘long-term fix’
“Unfortunately, there is no simple solution”
A major road to Sheffield will close for 18 days for landslip investigation works - the first of four surveys required for a ‘long-term fix’.
The A57 Snake Pass will close on Monday, June 15, and reopen two weeks and four days later on Friday, July 3.
Derbyshire County Council says two drilling rigs will be used to identify the ‘scope and causes of ground movement’ at Doctor’s Gate, near the summit, to help identify ‘a potential repair solution’.
It is one of four landslips which threaten the future of the road due to the enormous cost of repairs.
The authority said initial ground surveys have been carried out at three other landslip sites: Alport, Gillot Hey and Wood Cottage.
It added: “These areas require further investigations to devise a long-term fix.”
The Alport landslip alone is said to need hundreds of millions of pounds to repair, sparking speculation about whether the road could eventually close for good.
The A57 is a major route between Sheffield and Manchester which sees about 30,000 vehicles a week.
It currently has two sets of lights, where the road is down to one lane, and a 7.5 tonne weight limit.
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, Councillor Charlotte Hill said fixing the road would involve the government.
“Unfortunately, there is no simple solution. By carrying out these detailed investigations now, we are building the evidence needed to develop a permanent, long-term plan for fixing the road once and for all alongside our partners in the East Midlands Combined County Authority and the Government.
“We apologise for any inconvenience, but doing this work now will hopefully reduce future disruption and create a far more resilient route in the years ahead.”
While the road is closed, £7.6m of improvements will be installed, including new barriers and road marking, she added.
Routine maintenance works will also be carried out, including pothole repairs, gully clearing, litter picking, vegetation cutting and sign cleaning.
During the closure, a diversion will be in place via Hayfield, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Peak Forest and Bradwell.
Once the road reopens, it will be controlled by temporary lights until safety barrier improvements are carried out during the summer, the county council says.