Danger Snake Pass ahead!

May 20, 2008

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The A57 Snake Pass.

THE Snake Pass is one of Britain's most challenging roads.

A poll has found the A57 Manchester to Sheffield route is the fifth most challenging with Spaghetti Junction in the West Midlands declared as top in the survey.

The tangle of routes on the M6 comfortably beat the stretch of the A40 from London to Oxford as the hardest road to navigate in a poll by Airwaves chewing gum.

Third was the A166 from York to Driffield in Yorkshire, with the A726 from Paisley to Glasgow fourth.

The survey of 3,612 adults found that bad weather conditions were the main factor that made roads challenging, followed by other drivers, poor visibility and heavy congestion.

The presence of farm or wild animals was a factor for 2% of drivers, with the same number having difficulty navigating routes that were regularly used by learner drivers.

In total, 46% of those surveyed said they found UK roads challenging to drive on.

Airwaves spokesman and TV presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson said: "I'm pleased that Brits find twisty lanes just as challenging as motorways, because it's important to keep your wits about you every time you're behind the wheel.

"Poor weather conditions can make all journeys more difficult, as well as poorly maintained roads and congestion."

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Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (20/05/2008 at 09:02)

The A57 may be challenging but, after the A9 in Scotland, it is also one of the most picturesque roads in Britain.

The Karney & Leese Ego Show [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 09:26)

Anyone who finds controlling a car along a road "challenging" should give up their driving licence immediately and take the bus. That way you won't cause accidents that might inconvenience skilled, competent drivers.

Marc (20/05/2008 at 09:41)

you never tried the snake pass then scrotnig? (or whatever your name is)

its beautiful and terrifying in equal parts. i'd say anyone going into that stretch of road with an 'i can do anything' attitude would be more of a danger than someone approaching the pass with caution.

alvinlwh (20/05/2008 at 09:52)

I like the Snake Pass. It is the Sunday Drivers on it that I hate.

The Karney & Leese Ego Show [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 10:32)

I have driven the Snake Pass loads of times. It was one of the first roads I drove when I passed my test at 17. I find it fascinating and hugely enjoyable, but challenging? Not if you concentrate and drive your car in a competent and skillful way.

PS - I've also driven it in a Land Rover Defender several times as well. Try that for "challenging"!

Jay The Manc, That London place (20/05/2008 at 10:36)

How can spagehtti junction be described as challenging? Yes it looks complicated from the air, but when you are on it, its a motorway!! 3 lanes wide with lot's of signs telling you where to go!! Strikes me that half the people who filled this in have heard of spaghetti junction but never driven through it. Snake Pass is a great road to drive on. I think my favourite is the a62 over saddleworth!

The Karney & Leese Ego Show [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 10:48)

Jay The Manc, spaghetti junction is "challenging" to those people who lack driving skills and should not be allowed behind the wheel of a car. And these days they seem to be more numerous than ever.

Mr Manchester (20/05/2008 at 10:58)

Everyone knows Land Rover Defenders are not meant for tough terrain, Scrotnig, they're intended for driving to local supermarkets and parking on double yellows outside schools et al.

I've done it in a H-reg Peugeot 309. And drove on the Snake Pass too.

Marc (20/05/2008 at 11:01)

is snake pass the one that leads through Holmfirth (the village with the best chippy in the country) to kirklees? or does it go to Derwent? or have i completely lost my bearings?

Mark Spencer, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. (20/05/2008 at 11:04)

Quote:
"PS - I've also driven it in a Land Rover Defender several times as well. Try that for "challenging"! "

Tis like Rolls Royce compared to my Series III LHD Lightweight. (My only vehicle)
If you start off at the Snow marker you can coast about three miles nearly into Glossop, scary when you overtake the dawdlers with your car in neutral! Not tried it in the Lightweight but I travelled over the Snake (when it was open) daily for nearly three years.

Mr Manchester (20/05/2008 at 11:08)

Not sure, Marc, you might be thinking of the way to Amarillo.

The Karney & Leese Ego Show [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 11:12)

Mr Manchester, you're thinking of Range Rovers, Defenders are not generally used by such people as they are far too uncomfortable to drive.

Mark in Ashton - respect, I agree a Defender is the lap of luxury by comparison. Mind you, I was 18 when I had Defender, I wasn't looking for luxury, I was just bitten by the whole Land Rover/off roading bug. It taught me how to REALLY handle a vehicle. Much too expensive a hobby these days sadly. And so many off roading events got priced out of business.

Marc (20/05/2008 at 11:23)

okay scrotnig, you fire up the Defender, i'll get on my skateboard and cling to the back. Amarillo here we come!

The Karney & Leese Ego Show [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 11:42)

To answer your earlier point Marc, it's not a question of driving witth an I can do anything" attitude, it's driving with a degree of skill, experience and knowledge that means I don't see the road as "challenging".

I agree it requires good concentration, and also good vehicle control skills....but my belief is that anyone who hasn't got the above shouldn't be driving a vehicle of any sort.

Mr Manchester (20/05/2008 at 12:07)

Marc, before you head off to Amarillo: you said yesterday that if Miss Marc had those tendencies, you would not mind in the slightest.

I had a word with Mrs M last night but she absolutely refuses to prove or disprove your hypotheses. Dammit.

Marc (20/05/2008 at 12:41)

i agree scrotnig. what i was trying to say was that i've seen plenty of motorists on this pass who do adopt the 'look at me, i can do anything' attitude. the sort who fly past you doing 80 and narrowly miss oncoming traffic in the other lane. its people who think they have all the required skills that are dangerous. i still think caution is a good idea on snake pass.

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (20/05/2008 at 13:21)

I Can't see what the problem is with Snake pass, I've driven it both ways loads of times.

Try driving down into Edale from the Chapel road near Mam tor after snow, (or for that matter try driving the Chapel Road during snow full stop)

Mr Angry, Bury (20/05/2008 at 13:35)

I've only ever driven on this once, in a 1958 Ford Consul, three gears, steering column gear change.

Challenging?

Naw, easy

Marc (20/05/2008 at 14:08)

Mr M, that is indeed a crying shame. might i suggest offering her several glasses of lambrini before broaching the subject next time. never fails for me, and its cheap too!

to whoever mentioned Edale, the thought of driving into that valley after snow fills me with utter dread. its scary enough when its dry (but well worth it once you're there).

Mr Manchester (20/05/2008 at 14:57)

I tried everything, even Blue Nun. It's a no goer, and yet again I'm left to rue a missed opportunity.

I'm thinking of taking her up the Snake Pass instead.

Marc (20/05/2008 at 15:10)

that made me choke :)

Joey Barton's Liberty [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 15:17)

Driving in snow is a great experience, (though only if you know how to handle the car in snow of course, which naturally I do).

That's the only time I'd accept the Snake Pass as being challenging to drive.....but I'd still do it in a Defender! At least as far as the first 18ft snowdrift, then I might have to consider my retreat.

Mr Manchester (20/05/2008 at 15:21)

Aim to please. Better get your breath back before robodoc's called!

Marc (20/05/2008 at 15:36)

Mr M pass me the Blue Nun, i think i'm about to lose a lung.

Scrotnig, would you do the pass in a NOS-enabled Hillman Imp, up on two wheels with the roof in flames?

lebist, Blackley (20/05/2008 at 15:55)

I recently drove both ways on this road in my 1989 Bedford Bambi and hardly anyone overtook me.Now thats skillful driving for you.

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