Peak campaigners welcome 'unobtrusive' Snake Pass mast

The notoriously dangerous road, which connects Sheffield and

Manchester, has long been a communications "blackspot" .

John King, planning officer at Friends of the Peak District, said: "The original plans for the mast and buildings were really intrusive and would have ruined this precious landscape, so we want to thank the police and others for coming up with a sensitive solution."

Since 2006 Derbyshire Constabulary has made five separate planning applications for a new mast, the latest of which was finally given the nod last summer.

The new four-metre-high mast doubles up with an existing road sign, while a generator and liquid petroleum gas tank are buried underground.

Mr King added: "It's a win-win situation. The police and other emergency services can now get full reception across this area, whilst this last bit of wilderness at the Snake Pass summit remains pretty much unspoilt for walkers and everyone else who values it."