While many enjoy taking in the views of the Peak District, a road in the area has caused much confusion on social media today (May 15).
Snake Pass is one of the roads that link Manchester and Sheffield and has many bends and turns, making it look like a snake.
But despite speculation, this isn’t why Snake Pass got its name – instead, its name is thought to relate to a pub.
The Wonders of the Peak website explains that The Snake Pass Inn is thought to be the inspiration behind the road’s name Snake Pass.
The website says: “The Dukes of Devonshire and Norfolk, both prominent local landowners, contributed greatly towards the cost of the Sheffield to Glossop Turnpike road when it was constructed between 1818 and 1821, to a design by the Sheffield surveyor, William Fairbank.
“About two miles to the west of here is The Snake Pass Inn, originally known as Lady Clough House. It was built in 1821 by the 6th Duke of Devonshire. The name of the road is thought to have been taken from the Duke’s snake emblem which formerly welcomed visitors over the inn’s front door.”
Twitter users have fun with incorrect Snake Pass pictures
Twitter users have been joking around by posting images of other winding roads to the social media platform and calling it Snake Pass.
The jokes seem to have originated from people suggesting that Snake Pass is the main route that connects Manchester to Sheffield, despite there being alternative routes.
It’s caused a reaction from Twitter users who are now posting pictures of other winding roads from TV shows and games.
One tweeted a picture of a road with several bends and large drops on either side, saying: “This is the Snake Pass - the main route between Sheffield and Manchester”
This is the Snake Pass - the main route between Sheffield and Manchester pic.twitter.com/mYnbmCoeoI
— Mark Hebden💙 (@unionlib) May 15, 2023
Another joked that a picture of a bending road from a game was Snake Pass, writing: “Hard to believe this is Snake Pass, the main route between Sheffield and Manchester”
A third tweeted a picture of a road in the game Mario Kart, writing: “This is Snake Pass - the main route between Sheffield and Manchester”
This is Snake Pass - the main route between Sheffield and Manchester pic.twitter.com/TKUrN1fYnv
— Joe (@Buxton_JoeM) May 15, 2023
Snake Pass to be shut for repairs
Snake Pass has been a talking point on social media and it’s likely caused by the news that the road will be closed so repairs can be carried out.
📢We’ll be closing the A57 #SnakePass to all traffic for 5 days from Monday, 22/5 to resurface the Gillot Hey and Wood Cottage landslips.
— Derbyshire CC (@Derbyshirecc) May 12, 2023
⛈️These sections were badly damaged by Storms Eunice and Franklin last year, causing major landslips of up to 2 metres.
1/4 pic.twitter.com/um3CHts29A
Derbyshire County Council tweeted details of the road closure.
It said Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin caused the damage with landslips of up to 2 metres.
Snake Pass will be closed for five days from Monday, May 22.
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