Feature Assessment: Communities / Transport links into the PDNP
# Transport links into the PDNP [we need to add the map in]
Overall vulnerability |
# Features assessed:
- Transport links into the PDNP
- Transport routes
- Direct access routes from urban surroundings
# Special qualities:
- Undeveloped places of tranquillity and dark night skies within reach of millions
- Characteristic settlements with strong communities and traditions
- An inspiring space for escape, adventure, discovery and quiet reflection
- Vital benefits for millions of people that flow beyond the landscape
# Feature description:
The PDNP is one of the most accessible national parks in the world. Over 15 million people live within 40 miles or an hour’s drive away. Millions of vehicles travel in and around the area every year.
The A628 Woodhead Pass is the only trunk road to cross the PDNP and is the responsibility of Highways England. ‘A’ roads that run through the park, crossing several local authority boundaries, include the A53, A537 and A57, which come under the jurisdiction of the relevant local highway authority in each area.
Smaller villages are predominately served by ‘B’ roads, however Bakewell, the only town within the PDNP, is served by the A6 and A619.
Rail and bus services provide access to much of the PDNP. Neighbouring cities and major towns include Sheffield, Manchester, Derby, Chesterfield and Macclesfield. All have regular intercity rail services from destinations across the country. Only the Hope Valley Line between Manchester and Sheffield actually passes through the PDNP, stopping at stations in Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale. Regular bus links connect towns lying beyond the boundary with towns lying within the PDNP itself.
# How vulnerable are transport links into the PDNP?
Transport links into the PDNP have been rated ‘low’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to moderate sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a reasonable current condition, and high adaptive capacity.
Transport links in the PDNP are generally in good condition, but subject to some pressures including weather. Major routes are already susceptible to adverse weather with snowfall often leading to the closure of the high level routes. Increases in extreme weather conditions are therefore a key potential impact of climate change on the transport infrastructure.
However, research is now being carried out by organisations responsible for transport infrastructure to look at what measures can be undertaken to increase resilience to the potential impacts of climate change.
Overall potential impact rating | |
Overall adaptive capacity rating |
# Current condition
Roads and rail in the PDNP have periodically been closed by flooding. Roads at higher altitude such as A57 Snake Pass, A628 Woodhead Pass, A537 Cat & Fiddle, A6024 Holme Moss, A53 Axe Edge are regularly closed by winter snow. During fine weather and on weekends the honeypot locations such as Bakewell see significant road congestion.
Erosion is having an impact on a number of roads. The A57 Snake Pass has a similar geology to the old Mam Tor road and has suffered a number of landslips over the last few years through drought, freeze-thaw and flood. The A54 and A619 have also seen undercutting erosion of retaining walls.
The cities surrounding the PDNP have intercity rail services. However only the Hope Valley Line between Manchester and Sheffield has a stopping service within the PDNP (currently operated by Northern Trains).
Three lines stop just outside the boundary: Derwent Valley Line from Derby to Matlock (East Midlands Railway), Manchester to Glossop (Northern Trains) and Manchester to Buxton (Northern Trains). From these towns bus services are available into the PDNP.
A fourth line from Manchester runs to Huddersfield (TransPennine Express), with stations at Greenfield and Marsden.
It is possible to access most parts of the PDNP by bus. While some services run daily or even hourly, there are others that are only run at weekends or peak holiday periods.