Here is some information about a road closure on the Abney road past Great Hucklow Gliding Club. It affects anyone on the MidPeak Grimpeur (Perm and Calendar versions) and probably other rides too. The advice is, don't climb through Abney as you won't get through and will be turned back. To be honest, it is good news as it would have been so easy just to have left minor road unrepaired.
You may be aware that Campshill Lane which runs above Great Hucklow past the Gliding Club has been closed since the summer of 2015 due to severe carriageway subsidence.
Before the road was closed the loop from Hathersage through Abney and round to Bretton was popular due its scenic views and challenging climbs however since the closure the popularity has doubled with cyclists due to the reduction in traffic.
Derbyshire County Council is about to start the main construction phase to repair the carriageway and the road will no longer become a through route for cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians for approximately 20 weeks. The works to repair are challenging due to the constraints of the site with deep excavations required at a number of locations. There will be a large construction presence in the area and cyclists are encouraged to not take the route up from Hathersage through Abney past the gliding club.
The area will be securely fenced of and local adjoining footpaths will be closed. The surrounding land is private and not suitable as a ‘get around’ for the works. There has been a number of mineshaft collapses in recent years on the adjacent land.
I would be grateful if you could distribute this information to your club members and any interested parties. You will not be allowed through the works and you will be asked to turn back down the road you have just climbed up. Please do not plan any club rides using this route to avoid disappointment.
Project Engineer
