A major landslip on Leashaw, near Holloway in the Midlands, is set to keep the road closed for four years before reopening, Derbyshire County Council has confirmed. The council’s Reform UK administration recently announced a £48 million highways capital investment for the upcoming year, including £7 million dedicated to repairing landslip damage across five affected routes in Bakewell, Barlow, Beeley, Edale, and Holloway.
The dangerous landslip on Leashaw involves a 40-metre stretch of road severely damaged by torrential rainfall, resulting in its closure since November 2022. Repairs are scheduled to begin next spring and are expected to take about six months, potentially concluding by autumn 2025. However, to manage any unforeseen complications, a contingency deadline extends road closure until December 2026, meaning the route will have been shut for a full four years.
The £1.1 million repair plan includes constructing a new retaining wall and installing micro concrete piles driven deep into the rockface beneath the road to stabilize the area. The work will also restore the slope’s original shape with soil and grass, ensuring both safety and aesthetics are preserved. The road surface will be fully repaired before reopening to traffic.
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This extended closure has compelled residents of Holloway to take lengthy detours for everyday travel, increased congestion on alternate routes, and posed significant challenges for local businesses relying on road access.
Derbyshire County Council has identified 221 landslips across the county, some as extensive as those on Snake Pass that require hundreds of millions in funding, an amount beyond local resources. The council continues to lobby the Government and the East Midlands Mayor for additional financial support.
Funding distribution for landslip repairs includes £2.4 million for Station Road in Bakewell, £1.5 million each for Chesterfield Road in Beeley and Commonside in Barlow, £1.1 million for Leashaw, and £500,000 for Mam Nick in Edale.
Beyond landslip repairs, a total of £9.3 million will go towards general road maintenance, including £7.4 million for resurfacing, £4.7 million for surface dressing, £3.3 million for micro-asphalt, and over £324,000 for asphalt rejuvenation.
Councillor Charlotte Hill, responsible for potholes, highways, and transport, emphasized the council’s commitment to improving road quality. She noted new approaches to permanent repairs will reduce potholes and enhance road safety. Hill acknowledged the challenge of uncertain future funding but expressed optimism about delivering a positive impact, highlighting that nearly 80% of roads improved next year will be residential, a welcome shift for local communities.
In summary, while the lengthy closure of Leashaw is challenging for many, the council’s significant investment marks a critical step toward long-term infrastructure resilience and safer travel across Derbyshire.