About Bamford Clough
Bamford Clough provides an off road link between the junction of Taggs Knoll, Joan Lane and Fidlers WelI in Bamford village to New Road at the summit.
The clough is the steepest byway in Derbyshire, with an average gradient of 1 in 5, with some sections in excess of 1 in 3. It's narrow – in some places just 3 metres wide – with poor visibility and has no passing places.
The route is officially classified as a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT). This means the route can be used by all users – recreational vehicles like 4x4s as well as horse riders, walkers and cyclists.
It's one of just 72 BOATs remaining across the county.
Recent history
Following years of use, the surface of the clough had worn away, leaving utility cables exposed and deep ruts.
We carried out extensive repairs to the clough in 2021/2022, including resurfacing most of the route.
Although the path has recently reopened, we're concerned about public safety.
As a highway authority, we have a duty to make to make sure people can use our highways and byways safely, under Section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
We intend to make some changes to the way the byway is used as part of an experimental traffic order.
What an experimental traffic order is
An experimental traffic regulation order means we can introduce temporary changes to how The Clough is used and assess how they work and affect different users.
The order gives time for local residents and user groups to provide feedback about their experiences during a 6-month consultation, which will close on Tuesday 23 March 2027.
The experimental period will be used to monitor safety issues, how the change affects the use of the route including any collision issues and data.
A decision on whether the changes introduced as part of the experimental traffic order will be removed, modified or made permanent must be made within 18 months of an order coming into force.
Safety concerns
A safety review identified a number of issues with Bamford Clough:
- the risk of vehicles getting stuck as there are no passing places
- limited visibility due to the narrow, twisty nature of the route means it's almost impossible for drivers to see if another vehicle is approaching
- excessive speed and loss of control due to the route being extremely steep
Our proposals to improve safety
To help improve safety, we intend to make a number of changes to the route as part of the experimental traffic order. These changes are temporary. However, they may be made permanent, changed or removed depending on the feedback we receive and how people use the route.
The proposals include:
- making the route one-way, uphill (north‑easterly) towards New Road. This is to help prevent cars and 4x4s getting stuck if they meet another vehicle travelling downhill (south‑westerly direction), as there are no passing places
- a new one-way road sign will be installed at the foot of The Clough to inform road users
- an additional one-way reminder sign will be installed close to the summit
The route will remain open in both directions for all other users, including cyclists, horse riders and walkers.
The following map shows the proposed changes to Bamford Clough.
Register your comments about the experimental traffic order
The consultation is open until Tuesday 23 March 2027.
To find out more about the proposals and register your comments:
All responses must be received by Tuesday 23 March 2027.
We look forward to receiving your comments.