Cat and Fiddle Road is the British Widow Maker
Sweeping between Macclesfield and Buxton, in the county of Cheshire, in England, the Cat and Fiddle Road is a widow-maker road because of its mounting death toll.
How long is the Cat and Fiddle Road?
The drive comprises A54 and A537 roads. It is 16.41 km (10.2 miles) long, running from Macclesfield (in Cheshire) to Buxton (in Derbyshire). It’s totally paved and sweeps high into the Peak District National Park.
When was the Cat and Fiddle Road built?
The road was built in 1823. It’s named after the pub which lays at the summit. It's said to be the second-highest pub in England.
Is the Cat and Fiddle road challenging?
The road tops out at 515m (1,689ft) above sea level and has steep parts, hitting an 8% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. It is notorious for its severe bends, steep drops, and edged by dry-stone walls for almost the entirety of the road. It is popular with tourists, heavy goods vehicles, and high-powered leisure motorcyclists. It is particularly dangerous during winter, especially during heavy snowfall and freezing conditions which are common.
Is the Cat and Fiddle a dangerous road?
It’s known as the most dangerous road in the UK. This road presents an unacceptably high risk to users. Between 2011 and 2013, there were 34 crashes. Between 2007 and 2011, there were 44 serious or fatal crashes on the road. Between 2002 and 2006, there were 35. On this road, it’s easy to see how its nickname came around. The speed limit is 50mph, and speed cameras have been fitted along the road in response to the high accident rate among motorcyclists.
How long does it take to drive the Cat and Fiddle Road?
To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 20 and 30 minutes. This lethal but beautiful section is famous for its scenic views across the Greater Manchester conurbation, the Peak District National Park, and the Cheshire Plain, and for its many bends.