When major roads are going to be closed

Motorists are being warned about closures on major Trans-Pennine routes in the area in the coming weeks. 

Work continues to make the Woodhead Pass smoother to use and as trouble-free as possible, but with the improvements come more closures and temporary traffic lights.

Highways England is promising safer journeys and better information for drivers. 

Drainage pipes have been installed, new electronic signs, wall repairs and resurfacing are taking place.

While work to provide safer and more dependable journeys on the important trans-Pennine route linking Sheffield and Manchester is moving into a new phase.

Highways England has finished installing eight new drainage pipes across the A628 carriageway at a depth of over two metres to reduce the chance of flooding. 

Woodhead Pass

Attention is now turning to completing the resurfacing and wall repairs at Valehouse.

Technology improvements on the A628/A616 start soon with the introduction of nine extra electronic message signs on the main routes to the Woodhead Pass on either side of the Pennines to increase the information available to road users. 

The closure gates on the Woodhead Pass will be upgraded alongside the installation of a third gate in the Dunford Bridge area.

Highways England project manager Chris Corcoran said: “The technology improvements will make a big difference. They will enhance the information we communicate to drivers, meaning they can make early and effective decisions about their journeys.”

To ensure the upcoming work is done as safely and quickly as possible, there will be four nights of overnight closures (8pm to 6am) from Monday, November 2, weather permitting, to allow for resurfacing work.

The wall repairs at Valehouse will continue with 24/7 temporary traffic signals.

Work in Mottram Moor area 

Mottram Moor 

Highways England is also upgrading the road surface on the A57 between the junction with Woolley Lane and Hattersley roundabout (M67 junction) to improve skid resistance. 

The work will start on Monday 12 October and is expected to take two weeks, weather conditions and circumstances permitting. It will take place overnight from 6pm to 6am Monday to Friday. 

Highways England said: "To complete the upgrade as quickly and as safely as possible, we're using special equipment that works by increasing the texture of the surfacing roughness. We're working with our partners to keep disruption to a minimum but we expect the equipment will be noisy. 

"We'll try to finish the noisiest parts before 11pm to minimise noise as much as we can and apologise in advance for any inconvenience." 

This will be immediately followed by work to replace a damaged drainage pipe on the A57 westbound carriageway near the Gun Inn junction. 

Engineers will excavate next to the existing drainage chamber to repair the pipe and then reinstate the pavement and road markings, with work overnight expected to last two weeks. 

The nearside lane will be closed 24 hours a day and a temporary three-way traffic light control will be in operation. 

Snake Pass to be closed for two weeks 

Meanwhile, Derbyshire County Council has announced that the A57 Snake Pass will be closed for 24 hours a day from Monday, October 12 to Sunday, October 25.

A spokesperson said: “We are fixing a landslip, and while the road is closed, we'll be doing some resurfacing and drainage maintenance. Apologies for the inconvenience to all who use this road." 

A warning sign is outside the Royal Oak pub at the Sheffield Road approach to the Snake Pass to let drivers know. 

The council say that access will be given to people who live on the pass.