Snake Pass

[Really_here]

I suppose it could be argued that there's an alternative in the shape of the Woodhead Pass or even the motorway. What is a scandal though is that the direct railway line that ran from Manchester to Sheffield via Glossop was axed in 1970 (with the last freight train running in 1981) in an act of commercial stupidity. The Woodhead Tunnel, a magnificent feat of Victorian engineering, has lain dormant ever since. Had it remained open, I have no doubt it would be well used today.

I did the M62/M1 route a few times in the Winter, works reasonably well but the M62 from Saddleworth Moor right through to Leeds can more often than not be stop start in the mornings. Leaving Oldham at 6-30 wasn't too bad but half an hour later setting off turned into at least an hour later getting there.

 

[BlueMoonday]

The area around Derwent / Ladybower reservoir is beautiful.

I wish I had visited when there was a drought which exposed the old ruins of Derwent village

 

[A57 the snake]

Ahhh well it was good whilst it lasted farewell my friends I’ll see you on the other side ,nature has finally defeated me , I’ll change my user name to A57 Mottram bypass in 20 years when it finally goes ahead,

 

[Kompany Car]

On a side note, it really is appalling that two cities (Manchester and Sheffield) that are so close together and divided by hills that would scarcely be recognised as such in Switzerland, have such shit connectivity. Whether by road or rail, it's a vile, overcrowded journey, and more mither than going twice as far to other places.

Used to live in Dore, so my route to Manchester week in week out for the football was up through Hathersage and then along the A57. Great fun in summer, not so much in winter and the Hope Valley railway line, whilst scenic, just takes forever and was prone to frequent closures.
Lovely part of the world, but a nightmare to get across to Manchester.

 

[ctidcarl]

I used to use Snake Pass loads travelling from Norfolk to watch City.

Yes there were inevitable bottle necks and on a Sunday, cyclists could be a pain in the arse (sorry @Really_here !! You are as entitled as any to use it)

But as others have said, the area is beautiful - a sunny autumn day, when the weather is clear, the colours and scenery are incredible.
I always like the part where you're driving and you first see Manchesters skyline.......always gives me a little buzz when I see it.

Will be a pure shame if itdid close for good

 

[Eccles Blue]

The area around Derwent / Ladybower reservoir is beautiful.

I wish I had visited when there was a drought which exposed the old ruins of Derwent village

My grandmother lived in Bamford (not the Rochdale one) and I spent a lot of time around Ladybower and walking the hills around as a child in summer holidays.
On Millennium Eve I drove along the Snake to a parking area near Ladybower and welcomed 2000 by walking along the riverbank. I could hear and see fireworks being let off all over the place. It was a magical 2 hours alone in the dark just contemplating the New Century.
No mobile phone coverage so no interruptions until I was driving home at about 2.30am when, as I drove back down into Glossop, it started beeping in my bag! :-)
@bluemonday my aunt used to tell me about singing in the choir as a child in the old Derwent village church the day it closed for good before they flooded it. I walked with her one year to see the ruins when there was a drought in the 70s.

 

[KS55]

I suppose it could be argued that there's an alternative in the shape of the Woodhead Pass or even the motorway. What is a scandal though is that the direct railway line that ran from Manchester to Sheffield via Glossop was axed in 1970 (with the last freight train running in 1981) in an act of commercial stupidity. The Woodhead Tunnel, a magnificent feat of Victorian engineering, has lain dormant ever since. Had it remained open, I have no doubt it would be well used today.

There was talk recently of re-opening the Woodhead tunnel but they found services running through it such as electricity cables would prevent that.

 

[M23 Citizen]

Are there even any snakes around there?

 

[Big mals fedora]

Are there even any snakes around there?

Pass

 

[A57 the snake]

Are there even any snakes around there?

Just the one ;)