Riders at risk on A57

A motorcyclist was taken to hospital after leaving the road at one of several landslip-damaged sections of the A57 Snake Road on Saturday 14th March.

Andrew Byford, who witnessed the crash, said the rider did not appear to be travelling at high speed but was caught out by the uneven road surface at one of the known landslip sites. 

He said: “Yet another biker came to grief at one of the landslip sites along this road. This did not involve high speed, just unfortunate to be caught out by the uneven road surface.” 

Mr Byford took a photograph moments after the incident showing the motorcycle on its side against a tree, while the rider had come to rest several metres away after hitting another tree. Passing motorists stopped to help before emergency services arrived. 

Paramedics, police officers and an ambulance attended the scene, and the rider was later able to walk to the ambulance before being taken to hospital for precautionary checks. 

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police confirmed: 

“We received reports of a collision on the A57 Snake Road, Bamford, at 12.08pm on Saturday 14 March. The incident involved a Honda motorcycle which had left the road. The rider of the motorbike, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital but his injuries are not thought to be serious.” 

Mr Byford, who says he has used the road daily for more than 70 years, believes the condition of the carriageway at the landslip locations remains a serious safety concern. 

He said there are four known landslip sites along the Snake Road where the surface is uneven and claims no remedial work has yet been carried out. 

“I have been critical of road maintenance standards for many years and Derbyshire County Council are showing no sign of carrying out any repairs to these landslip sites,” he said. 

The Chronicle asked Derbyshire County Council for comment. Councillor Charlotte Hill, the authority’s Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, said: 

“I’m sorry to hear what’s happened and we are sending someone up there to investigate in light of this. 

“Snake Pass is a key connection route between Manchester and Sheffield, used by tens of thousands of vehicles each week, but there are several major landslips on the road, which we are managing. 

“We hope that the road remains stable and will do everything we can to keep it open. We have highlighted the strategic importance of the road and are encouraging a proactive discussion about the investment needed to address any further major movement. 

“Although we have seen an increase in our highways budgets, the likely cost of repairing and stabilising all the landslips on the A57 far outstrips the money we have available, and we will continue to lobby for increased funding.” 

The situation is particularly concerning as the Snake Pass is a popular route for motorcyclists during the spring and summer months. With more riders taking scenic trips and the road’s uneven surfaces at landslip sites, the route can be especially hazardous.