A57 Snake Pass
We had to temporarily close the A57 Snake Pass in February 2022 following a battering from Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin.
The storms damaged the road surface and foundations at 3 sites:
- Gillot Hey
- Wood Cottage
- Alport
To maintain public safety and keep the road open, we reduced the carriageway to one lane, introduced a 20mph speed limit and installed traffic lights at all 3 sites.
To minimise any further damage to the road at the site of the landslips, HGVs over 7.5 tonnes are asked to follow a signed diversion route using the A6013 / A6187 / B6049 / A623 / A6 / A6015 / A624 and vice versa.
In May 2023, we carried out extensive repairs to the Gillot Hey and Wood Cottage sites. The traffic lights and temporary speed limit were removed and these sections of road were reopened to 2-way traffic.
The temporary traffic lights and 20 mph speed limit at Alport remain in place.
Since carrying out the repairs at Gillot Hey and Wood Cottage, we have noticed that the road surface is already showing some signs of movement. This is occurring much more quickly than in the past. We will continue to monitor these sites and may need to take action, including reinstating the temporary traffic lights and reduced speed limit.
At the Alport slip site, the road surface shows no signs of any movement. An initial survey report suggests extensive works are needed to strengthen the ground, using long steel piles. We don't have a cost for this work yet, but other similar work gives us an estimate of around £4million.
In addition to the slip at Alport, a full geotechnical survey of the entire Snake Pass route has also been commissioned to tackle the issue of reoccurring ground movement and landslips. This report will help identify potential solutions for the future of the sites affected by the landslips and set out costings. Once this report is received we will be building a business case for the funding to take to the government, as we don't have the money available for such large schemes.
The 12-mile section of the A57, known as Snake Road, is one of the highest roads in the Peak District.
Historical records suggest that landslips have taken place along the Snake Pass with closures dating back at least 90 years, with more than 30,000 vehicles each week including 1,500 HGVs using the road.
Oker - Will Shores Lane
Following wet weather in December 2020 the C319 Oker Road (that runs from Darley Bridge to Oker village near Matlock) slipped in the new year.
Following on from the ground investigation work in July 2021, we were given a number of possible engineering solutions. These were evaluated and a predominately earthworks solution to regrade the slope has been chosen to be taken forward.
The £300,000 repair programme started on Monday 7 August 2023 and will take up to 15 weeks to be completed, subject to weather conditions.
The repairs involve installing drainage to intercept and redirect groundwater in the area to prevent future landslips.
Work will also be carried out to improve the support for the new road surface.
The repairs also include resurfacing Oker Road following damage caused by the landslip. Once completed, the road will reopen to 2-way traffic.
The diversion route remains as follows: Oker Road, Snitterton Road, Matlock Spa Road, A6 Derwent Way, A6 Bakewell Road, A6 Dale Road South, Old Road, B5057 Main Road, B5057 Eversleigh Rise, Oker Road.
Beeley - Limetree Wood
The road that runs from Beeley Village to Chesterfield slipped in January 2021 following wet weather. The road is known locally know as Hell Bank Road and is a popular cycle route.
The road slipped again twice in the winter of 2021 to 2022 and these further landslips mean that the road is now not safe for anyone to use, so the road is closed to everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists and those on horses to protect public safety. This decision has been taken after detailed consultation with our geotechnical consultants who feel the risk of further collapse is high. Please do not ignore the road closure signs.
A ground investigation at the Limetree Wood landslip was successfully undertaken from 11 to 22 October 2021 and we're currently evaluating the results.
The diversion route is: B6012 Rowsley Road, B6012 Chatsworth Road, A6 Dale Road North, B5057 Chesterfield Road, B5057 Sydnope Hill, Screetham Lane Beeley.
Barlow - Commonside Road
The road that runs from Commonside to Wilday Green, slipped in November 2019 and then more severely in February 2020 following wet weather. A major retaining wall / landslip scheme had previously been completed to the south west in 2010. The new landslip is located to the north east of this location.
Ground investigations were carried out during May 2021 with further investigation completed in November 2021. We're working with a design and build contractor to develop a solution.
The diversion route is: Millcross Lane, B6051, Wilkin Hill.
Starkholmes - White Tor Road
The road that runs between Riber Road and Starkholmes Road was closed in April 2020 following subsidence on the edge of the carriageway.
A desk study report and rope access investigation has been undertaken which established evidence of a small landslip perched on a large rock outcrop. This feature is part of the larger historic Starkholmes landslide which is a complex of multiple failures along the hillside.
Due to the complexities of working at this location any work undertaken will involve specialist external contractors and we intend to undertake remedial works in the 2022 to 2023 financial year.
The diversion route is Riber Road, Starkholmes Road and vice versa.
Birchover - Lees Road
The road that runs between Stanton Lees and Birchover suffered a retaining wall failure and subsequent slope failure in November 2019.
There have been 3 slope / retaining wall failures within or close to the site area which have affected Lees Road in recent history.
In May 2020 geomorphological mapping and topographical surveying of the site was undertaken. The finding clarified that a landslide of approximately 20m wide flowed almost 100m down slope. Landslide debris is recorded as being between 0.5m to 1.5m thick.
The is by far the most complex and catastrophic landslide failure we have to manage.
The diversion route is: Lees Road, Birchover Road, Lees Road and vice versa.
Great Hucklow - Little Plumpton Cottage
The road from Great Hucklow to Bretton, just below Little Plumpton Cottage, moved considerably over the 7 to the 9 of September 2022.
Due to the danger this poses to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians we have had to close the road all users.
The diversion route is: C197 Unnamed Road From Main Road To Bradshaw Lane / C197 Main Road / U1171 Dirty Lane / C94 / C272 Bradshaw Lane / C197 and vice versa.
Currently we are unable to determine when this road will be open.
Holloway - Leashaw
The road slipped here in November 2022 and is currently closed. The closure has recently been extended and the diversion route is Yew Tree Hill, Mill Lane, Lea Road, Mill Lane, A6 Derby Road to Whatstandwell, B5035 Main Road, Sandy Lane, Bowns Hill, Cromford Road.
There are many utility services contained within the road, some of which were damaged or had the potential to be damaged by the movement. We've worked very closely with National Grid, Severn Trent Water, and Cadent Gas to allow remedial work and diversions to be installed to ensure the integrity of their services and continuity of supplies to the community.
Regular monitoring of the road has detected signs of further movement following the recent wet weather conditions. We'd hoped to open up one side of the road to light vehicles early this year, but due to this recent movement it won't be possible at the moment, and the monitoring will continue.
An independent road safety audit commissioned to look into the reopening plans also raised some concerns in relation to this movement, as well as how to ensure safe access for all road users. We need to try to address both these issues before anything can be implemented on site.
Specialists have been commissioned to look at a long-term plan to carry out permanent repairs to the landslip which would enable the full reopening of the road. This will involve additional ground investigation work over and above that already carried out by Severn Trent Water last year before any scheme can be designed, detailed, tendered, and started on site.
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