PARWICH.ORG

With another layer of fresh snow on the ground, and still more snow forecast for tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon and evening, any information on the current state of the roads would be very gratefully received. Our site stats tell us that the number of visits to PARWICH.ORG has increased almost threefold over the past few days, which suggests that a lot of you must be looking for this sort of information – so please do share what you know.

Travelling into Parwich from Nottingham this lunchtime – via Derby, Allestree, Kedleston, Hulland Ward, Carsington Water and Bradbourne – we experienced no particular difficulties until we joined the lane from Knockerdown to Bradbourne. Although the lane has been regularly gritted and is in a reasonable state for traffic, special care and attention is needed over this stretch. (There’s one benefit, though: by slowing right down, you’ll get a chance to take in the spectacularly beautiful scenery on either side of the lane.)

Care is also needed on the Hognaston bypass (which runs along the edge of Carsington Water). This was badly affected during Friday evening’s snowfall, with traffic unable to progress at much more than 5mph. The road is a lot better today, but it’s still far from being hazard-free.

Our one potential “sticky moment” came on the approach road to Parwich, north of the Ballidon turn-off but south of the Pikehall turn-off. There’s a difficult and dangerous stretch on this road, for maybe 150 metres or so around a particular bend, where the amount of slush and ice deepens dramatically. If your car has a low suspension, or if it doesn’t handle snow too well in general, then you are strongly advised to avoid taking this route.

We’ve heard that the Alsop road is in a better state than the southbound road to the B5056, as it is being gritted – but do watch out for those potholes, which are steadily getting worse.

Finally, if you’re unable to get up some of the steeper lanes within the village, then we recommend the Parsons Croft car park (by the cricket pitch), which offers a safer space to leave your vehicle.

We are all concerned about the state of the roads and the problems with gritting and the now apparent shortage of salting reserved held in the county, but it is what is under the snow that will be a real concern once the snow has gone.  Walking down Dam Lane towards Alsop the road is littered with pot holes, the one photographed is more than 3″ deep and 12″ wide – how many more are there?   

This has been reported to Call Derbyshire today and at the same time a request put in to fill the grit bins in the village, but no time schedule has been given.  To ring Call Derbyshire 01629 533085 or 08456 058 058. 

The promise by DCC at the Public Meeting on 17th November,  about the filling of holes at the side of this road still hasn’t happened – maybe we need to chase our County Councillor and remind him! 

Although today was glorious if you were out walking, it was also like a skating rink in places, especially where the snow has been compacted.  Under the snow it is like sheet ice – certainly on the minor roads. 

 Do let us know what the Alsop Road, A515 to Ashbourne and Buxton and the road to Longcliffe is like, if you have driven down it today.

Ice lurking under the compact snow on Backhill Lane (road to Pikehall)

Junction of Backhill Lane, Parwich Lane and the road to Hill Top Farm