Derbyshire Police have issued a response to the planned "mass trespass" on the closed Snake Pass route this weekend.

The trespass on to the notorious road between Manchester and Sheffield through the Peak District is planned from 2pm on Saturday (12 March).

This is in protest against a decision from Derbyshire County Council to close a substantial chunk of the route to all forms of traffic, including walkers and cyclists, following landslips.

Residents living on the route, as well as their visitors, are allowed access.

Now a spokesperson from Derbyshire police has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The force is aware of the event that is planned and any issues will be managed by local officers.

“The closure has been put in place by Derbyshire County Council due to concerns about safety. As with all road closures, we would ask that people comply with the closure.”

The force was asked how the police would be managing any issues, if officers would be turning people away and if it could be discouraging people from taking part.

Harry Gray, who is organising the “mass trespass” said there has been “lots of traction” and around 50 people are expected to take part in the protest so far.

He said: “The main thing now is how exciting it is to see so many people visit a national park and enjoying it.”

Thousands of people have commented on news articles about the planned “mass trespass”, with a mixture of support and opposition to the plans.

One of the landslips which has led to the closure of the A57 Snake Pass. Image: Andy Flint. 

Jake Stewart, a professional cyclist for GroupamaFDJ, took to Twitter to say: “Please, if you’re a cyclist considering attending this mass trespass this weekend, consider again.

“Take a thought to how we as cyclists are currently viewed in a number of peoples’ eyes and ask yourself how this will be conducive to finding harmony with motorists in the future.

“I ride Snake Pass regularly and let me tell you, even traffic free, it’s not that great a climb…plenty of other climbs in Derbyshire which are more stunning and nicer roads.”

Around 12 miles of the Snake Pass route has been closed to motorists since February 21 after numerous storms and heavy rainfall caused three landslips.

One such landslip had caused the road to drop by two metres, with the authority saying that the land was still moving, presenting a risk to motorists and other road users.

On March 8, the authority said that following large groups of cyclists visiting the road to make use of a chance to use the route without traffic, it has now been closed to all users – apart from residents who live on it, along with their visitors.

It said road races involving cars had also taken place on the route at night time, with the closure now being monitored 24/7 at both ends – near Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir.

The authority said “we don’t want an accident”. It had been unaware of the planned protest until the LDRS approached it for comment.

Local councillor Damien Greenhalgh urged the council to find another alternative, comparing the all-out ban to using “a sledgehammer to crack a nut” with support for the protest.

He has been told the ban on cyclists and walkers is, in part, due to the “behaviour of some cyclists”.

Fellow councillor Nigel Gourlay urged campaigners to use “common sense” due to safety issues. He said he is aware of the frustration and anger at the closure and hoped protesters “will keep their wits about them, and steer clear of heavy machinery”.

The closure has been initially said to last a month while the site is investigated, with the closure listed as lasting until March 22

The suggested diversion route appears to be 33.2 miles for cyclists and take three hours and 14 minutes, with Google offering an alternative which clocks in at 21.6 miles and two hours and 33 minutes.

The mass trespass protesters are due to gather at 2pm at Square West in Glossop before setting off.

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