Fatal crash on Snake Pass during weekend reopening

The A57 Snake Pass briefly reopened to traffic over the weekend as planned roadworks progressed ahead of schedule. However, the route became the scene of a fatal motorcycle collision. 

The road between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir is currently closed for almost three weeks while Derbyshire County Council carries out major ground investigations at the Doctor's Gate landslip site and undertakes a programme of road safety and maintenance works. 

The closure, which began on 15th June, is allowing engineers to assess one of the route's most significant landslip locations as part of efforts to secure the long-term future of the road. 

With work progressing faster than expected due to favourable weather conditions and strong progress on site, the council announced a temporary reopening from Saturday 20th June until the morning of Monday 22nd June. 

Tragically, during that reopening period, a 39-year-old motorcyclist from Sheffield lost his life in a crash on the route. 

Derbyshire Constabulary said the rider was travelling on the A57 near the A6013 turn-off for Bamford shortly before noon on Saturday when his motorcycle was involved in a collision. 

Emergency services attended the scene, but the man was sadly pronounced dead. Police said no other vehicles are believed to have been involved. 

His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. A file will now be prepared for the coroner. 

Snake Pass remains one of the region's most important transport links, carrying around 30,000 vehicles each week between Manchester and Sheffield. The current closure is also being used to begin a £7.6 million road safety improvement programme, including the installation of new safety barriers designed to offer greater protection for motorcyclists. 

Additional works being carried out during the closure include pothole repairs, drainage improvements, vegetation clearance, sign cleaning and litter picking. 

The road has now closed again to allow the investigation works to continue and is expected to remain shut until 3rd July. It will then reopen under temporary traffic lights while further safety improvements continue throughout the summer.