Government urged to fund repairs for Snake Pass, but response directs local solutions
Major landslip-hit route considered nationally critical by regional leaders
Efforts to secure government funding for repairs on the landslip-hit Snake Pass in Derbyshire have faced challenges, with the Department for Transport (DfT) directing local authorities to existing funding sources.
Snake Pass, a key route between Manchester and Sheffield in the Derbyshire Peak District, demands costly repairs. Regional Labour Mayors, including Claire Ward from the East Midlands, argue for national support given its strategic importance.
Funding challenges
Derbyshire houses 200 landslips, with four affecting Snake Pass, notably the Alport landslip, requiring hundreds of millions for repair. While the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s investment has increased highways maintenance to £37 million, falling short for Snake Pass could jeopardize other local roads.
Mayors from Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, and South Yorkshire contend the responsibility should be more widely shared: "It is a nationally strategic piece of infrastructure...not just for my residents in the High Peak but also for residents in Sheffield and Manchester," Ward explained.
Government response
While acknowledging the route's importance, a DfT spokesperson emphasized local responsibility under the combined county authority priorities: “We are already providing the East Midlands Combined County Authority with £2 billion in Transport for City Regions funding over the next six years.”
Despite recent government funding for safety improvements on Snake Pass, including cameras, barriers, and surfacing upgrades, officials remain concerned about the route's vulnerability due to climate change-induced heavy rain and frequent landslips.
The collective stance of regional leaders reinforces the call for national intervention, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, sustainable repairs for the over 30,000 vehicles that use the iconic pass weekly.