Snake Pass, what is known as the UK’s ‘most dangerous’ road, has received £7.6 million in funding to improve its safety.
The infamous road connecting Manchester and Sheffield – which is said to be used by more than 30,000 vehicles each week – is the highest road in Derbyshire, and is known for including a series of steep bends, twists, and blind junctions, hence being given the nickname of the UK’s ‘most dangerous’ route.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £7.6 million from its ‘Safer Roads Fund’ to improve safety along the 23-mile stretch of the A57 between Glossop and Sheffield.
Snake Pass is also, sadly, known for its frequent collisions data – with records indicating that, between 2018 and 2023, there were five fatalities, 62 ‘serious;, and 102 slight collision casualties.
Historical records also suggest that landslips have taken place along the Snake Pass for decades, with road closures dating back at least 90 years.
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‼️Today, @transportgovuk has awarded £7.6 million from the Safer Roads Fund, to make major safety improvements to the #A57#SnakePass. We’ll be using the money to introduce major safety improvements along a 23-mile stretch of the A57 between Glossop and Sheffield. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/IrpmJpDfXl
Proposed safety improvements to be carried out include the installation of up to 10 average speed camera sites along the route, with speed limit reminder signs, and the improving the junction of the A57 and Manor Park Road in Glossop by narrowing the road so it reduces the time it takes for pedestrians to cross.
More pedestrian crossings will be installed at the Dinting Vale viaduct to provide a safer walking route to the railway station
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Advanced ‘road restraint’ safety barriers, which are designed to prevent motorcyclists sliding under existing safety barriers and reduce potential injuries, will also be installed, alongside anti-skid friction surfacing at bends and existing collisions sites to help minimise braking distances.
Snake Pass will be undergoing to undergo £7.6m safety improvements / Credit: Geograph (via Wikipedia Commons)
Councillor Charlotte Hill, who is the Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways, and Transport at Derbyshire Council says Snake Pass is a ‘major tourist route’ and a ‘key economic connection’ for the North.
“We have already carried out a number of safety improvements along the route, but a more holistic solution is required to save lives and change road user attitudes and behaviour along this challenging stretch of road.
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“Using our experience gained from similar challenging routes in the county, we will now be able to finalise our proposals for the Snake Pass, in readiness for a public consultation later this year.
“We look forward to being able to deliver a step change in road safety and reduce casualties along this significant route.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Featured Images — CGI (via Arrowsmith Management)/Gerald England (via Geograph)
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Avanti staff at Manchester Piccadilly to strike tomorrow over ‘unfair dismissal’ of colleague
Emily Sergeant
Avanti West Coast staff based at Manchester Piccadilly are set to stage strike action tomorrow.
Due to what has been described as the ‘unfair dismissal’ of a colleague, rail union RMT has announced that Avanti West Coast members at Manchester Piccadilly station are set to walk out tomorrow (Saturday 1 August) – with several other strikes also planned later in the year.
Despite taking industrial action against sacking – which was based on anonymous allegations – RMT says the company has decided to ‘ignore’ the workforce and uphold the sacking at an appeal hearing.
As well as the 24-hour strike tomorrow, two other strikes have also been announced for future dates – 29 August, and 10 October.
Avanti staff at Manchester Piccadilly are striking over the ‘unfair dismissal’ of a colleague / Credit: Network Rail
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the sacking was ‘extremely disappointing’.
He claimed the worker had ‘clearly’ been the victim of a toxic workplace culture which encouraged anonymous and unsubstantiated complaints.
“This member has been made a scapegoat for multiple management failings, including the company’s inability to manage its employees to an acceptable standard within the workplace,” commented RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey.
“This union is sending the clearest possible message to Avanti West Coast that there will be no let-up until this unfair dismissal is overturned and the issues at the heart of this dispute are resolved.”
Emily Sergeant -
21st July 2025 
