More bad news for British cycling? Iconic climb Snake Pass in need of £4 million repairs: “I wouldn't ride up there with my kids, not in a million years"

Snake Pass, the famous hill pass in the Peak District, is one of the most beloved and challenging climbs for cyclists in England. Running between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir, the road has long been a favourite among riders drawn to its stunning scenery and testing gradients. With an average gradient of 5.7% over six kilometres, it provides a tough but rewarding ascent and has even been featured in the Tour of Britain.

However, despite its status as a legendary climb, its future is now uncertain.

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According to Cycling Weekly, the long-term viability of Snake Pass is in doubt, with Derbyshire County Council stating that it can no longer afford to maintain the road. Prone to landslips and structural issues, the road reportedly requires £4 million in repairs, a sum the council claims it cannot meet. The situation has led to concerns that the pass may eventually be closed to motor vehicles or left to fall into disrepair, raising fears about what that would mean for cyclists.

Snake Pass has hosted many cycling hill-climb races, and events such as Glossop Kinder Velo’s annual climb continue to draw riders eager to test themselves on its slopes. The road's closure or neglect would represent a significant loss for the cycling community, particularly given its rich history in the sport.

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The Peak District is one of the most popular regions for cyclists in the UK. No, it’s not quiet the alps we see in the Tour or the Giro, but the Peak District is sublime in its own right. For British cyclists, Snakes Pass is a must ride route.

Simon Warren, author of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, highlighted the risks of allowing Snake Pass to deteriorate. "It would quickly fall into disrepair. It might be great for the first couple of weekends, but then the moss will come and the sheep and stuff before, you know, it'll be a dirt track."

His comments reflect a broader concern that, while closing the road to cars might initially seem like a win for cyclists, it could ultimately make the route unusable. Warren also noted that cyclists rely on roads being maintained for cars, adding, "Our road bikes, we wouldn't be able to use them if the roads weren't built for cars. Without the car, we wouldn't have the facility to ride our bikes. So the two have to go hand in hand, and we have to share the space."

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The road's safety, however, remains a contentious issue. Snake Pass has long had a reputation for being dangerous, particularly due to high speeds and regular accidents involving motorcyclists. Warren acknowledged this risk, saying, "There are regular fatalities on Snake Pass, mainly motorcyclists, so it's not a safe road for other road users, let alone cyclists."

He continued, "It's fine for club riders who are confident and know the risks and often cycling groups. But in terms of encouraging more people to cycle or people to get out on their bikes, I wouldn't ride up there with my kids, not in a million years, because it isn't a safe road."

Despite concerns over maintenance, some have speculated whether closing Snake Pass to motor vehicles would be an improvement. However, local riders do not believe this is a realistic or positive solution and have raised several other concerns.

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Bryn Adams, from Glossop Kinder Velo, expressed his doubts about a permanent road closure. "We don't really think it's likely to close permanently to cars, and I don't think it'd be a particularly good thing if it did happen," he said. "I think it would just be neglected. I don't really see the funds being there to maintain it just for cyclists and walkers and so on. I think if it closed to cars it would just fall into disrepair and not be safe for cycling."

The Derbyshire County Council has also made statements about the future of the road, though there seems to be some confusion over its responsibilities. Reports suggest that the council told the BBC it is not responsible for Snake Pass, adding further uncertainty to the situation.

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The council has previously indicated that it would "prefer if cyclists did not use Snake Pass", with safety concerns at the heart of the issue. While the road has been temporarily closed to cars multiple times in the past due to landslips and adverse weather, cyclists have often continued to ride the route, sometimes resulting in criticism from local authorities.

With £4 million needed for maintenance and no clear financial solution, Snake Pass could face a long period of uncertainty. If left to deteriorate, it could quickly become un-rideable, losing its place as one of England’s premier cycling climbs. If kept open without proper investment, it risks remaining a hazardous route for all users, particularly given its reputation for fatal accidents.

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