The A628 Woodhead Pass, a major route over moorland near Greater Manchester, will remain closed until at least Friday morning following a vehicle fire that spread to adjacent moorland. The road has been shut since Thursday afternoon, July 16, after a car burst into flames and ignited the surrounding vegetation.
Car Blaze and Moorland Fire
Shocking images from the scene show the car completely engulfed by flames shortly after the crash, which occurred just after 1:30pm. Huge clouds of smoke billowed from the vehicle as the fire quickly spread to the nearby moorland. The incident coincided with a separate large moorland fire in Tintwistle, above Woodhead Road, which has been burning for over three weeks.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (SYFRS) confirmed that the road closure, initially expected to lift by Monday morning, July 20, has been extended. A spokesperson for National Highways stated: "The A628 Woodhead Pass remains closed in both directions between A616 Langsett and A57 Hollingworth due to an ongoing fire. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are now expecting the road to remain closed until at least Friday morning."
Multi-Agency Response
The statement continued: "A multi-agency response involving units from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways and South Yorkshire Police remains ongoing. The A628 will remain closed in both directions until at least Friday morning 24/07/26 for safety reasons due to this fire and another unrelated fire at Tintwistle."
Traffic at the scene is being diverted via local routes. Motorists travelling from further afield are advised to use alternative trans-pennine routes such as the M1, M62, and M60.
Impact and Safety Measures
The extended closure, now lasting over a week, underscores the severity of the fire and the ongoing efforts to contain it. Firefighters from multiple services continue to battle the blazes, with safety as the primary concern. The public is urged to avoid the area and follow diversion signs.
