‘It’s not quite the moon but there’s enough craters’: Steep hill road revered by cyclists has a pothole problem

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 16:45

By Chris Gee

A famously steep road revered by cyclists as one of the toughest hill climbs in the country is riddled with potholes and has been likened to the surface of the moon. The Rake, which links the centre of Ramsbottom to Holcombe, is the subject of a plea from a local councillor to highways chiefs for ‘proper repairs to be made’.

The road, which ascends from the town for a just short of a kilometre, bridges 103 vertical metres and has and average gradient of 10 per cent. Riders in the UK’s biggest professional cycle race, the Tour of Britain, tackled the uphill route during the Greater Manchester stage of the competition in September, 2023 and cyclists from far and wide take on travel to the town to take on the challenge.

However, concerns have been raised about the condition of its surface.
Recently taken images of the road show multiple potholes, including some inches deep with some previous ‘patched’ road resurfacing work seemingly crumbling away.

Ramsbottom councillor Gareth Staples-Jones said he had visited the roads which make up the Rake this week. He said: “It’s not quite the moon but there are certainly enough craters.

“I’ve raised the condition of the Rake with the council and I’m pushing for proper repairs to be made to the surface of the highway.” Commenting on the pothole issue on Facebook, Anna Fiske, said: “It’s so dangerous for cyclists.
“Not great PR for all the cycling events that take part on the Rake, that could bring in lots more money for Ramsbottom businesses. “Please get it fixed.”

Coun Staples-Jones said he also used the visit to ‘knock on the local residents doors’ to speak about speeding concerns in the area. He added that he had raised the ‘exact point’ about benefits to businesses in Ramsbottom from cyclists visiting the area.

Bury Council have been contacted for comment.