On The Road - the A625

There was a time, some 20 years ago perhaps, and many times before that, when we regularly would hear voices raised saying “something must be done about it” or, it went on, the national park will be destroyed, its appeal lost for good. 

What was being talked about was the roads and the traffic and the loss of tranquillity. Nothing was ever done about it, nothing the tiniest bit effective anyway. And that call for action rarely gets heard now. A new generation has grown up for whom the situation when they were children is the norm, the baseline: to them roads with constant fast moving cars and huge HGVs is what they expect to see – and hear. There is a level of experience which will always be denied them but will they miss what they’ve never seen? Without imagination perhaps not. As for us oldies we have to repress our longings for quieter, more relaxing and more natural surroundings or spend our time festering in regrets and resentment. An alternative, at least for some middle aged who can afford it, is to embrace the new craze for restless speed, buy a fast car and race round the Peak District roads possibly endangering your own life and that of others.

That seems to have been the choice made by the male middle aged driver of a newish white BMW car which hurtled around the bend at Piper House the other day. He just about held the curve. I was in car sedately travelling in the opposite direction and remained shaken up for some time afterwards, while walking on the moor. That bend has been the scene of tragic deaths in the past and may well be so again if nothing “is done about it”.

The wall bounding Blacka has been regularly punctured by vehicles over the years.

And the bus stop for the Piper House entrance has at least three times been thrust into the ground below, sometimes accompanied by car and driver.

I’ve spent some time trying to delve into road safety issues over the years and come to the conclusion that there is no political will to address serious concerns. After many years of complaining, and numerous incidents, an illuminated sign was erected on the side of this road lower down before the S bend on the junction of Sheephill Road. It was quite effective, suddenly lighting up and telling people to ‘Slow Down’. Some months ago it ceased to work. Nothing has been done to repair it. Consequently those of us who know of the dangers ahead are tailgated when we slow down. Does anybody accept responsibility?