Tour de France organisers have announced specific times for the arrival of the world’s top cyclists in Uttlesford this summer.
It is estimated the peloton will enter the district at approximately 12.40pm on Monday July 7; however this will be preceded by the colourful caravan procession at 10.45am.
The caravan procession, aimed at building up excitement amongst spectators, takes about 45 minutes to pass a static point but the actual riders will pass in a matter of minutes, including all the following support vehicles.
The procession will arrive in Saffron Walden at approximately 10.50am followed by the riders at 12.50pm. And in Felsted, the arrival times are 11.48am and 13.42pm. A full timetable can be found at uttlesford.gov.uk/tdf
Uttlesford District Council (UDC) has set up two free park & ride facilities on the day. One will be located at Carver Barracks and the second will be located at Audley End House and Gardens. Parking will be free all day and a mini-bus service will transport people in and out of Saffron Walden town centre. People parking at Audley End can also walk.
Cllr Howard Rolfe, cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said: “Monday, 7 July is going to be a significant occasion for the district with thousands of people lining the streets. There will be a real carnival atmosphere with many families able to enjoy the day together since many local schools have decided to close.”
Businesses have been invited to attend a briefing event, at 6pm on Wednesday May 14, which has been organised by UDC and Essex County Council. The event will give businesses the opportunity to learn more about the day, including how to deal with any disruption and how to maximise business opportunities. Anyone interested in attending should email media@uttlesford.gov.uk.
Cllr Rolfe added: “I appreciate that there are some concerns about the impact the race will have on daily business operations in Uttlesford so that is why we felt it necessary to hold this specific event to enable businesses to engage with us and the county council directly.
“Hopefully the event will offer real commercial benefits to many businesses.”
Stage three enters Uttlesford from Cambridge on the B184, past the turn-offs for the Chesterfords, and down Windmill Hill into Saffron Walden.
At the traffic lights/crossroads on the High Street it turns left onto George Street/Hill Street and continues onto East Street and then Radwinter Road.
Riders will then carry on through Sewards End to Radwinter, at which point the peloton turns right onto the B1053 travels through the Sampfords and out of the district towards Finchingfield.
A little while later it returns to Uttlesford at Bannister Green, along the B1417 Braintree Road towards Felsted. The riders will take a left turn onto Chelmsford Road in the village centre and finally exit the district on the B1008.
Approximate arrival times:
Caravan
B184 Great Chesterford Junction 10.45am
B184 Little Chesterford junction 10.47am
Saffron Walden 10.52am
Sewards End 10.58am
Radwinter 11.04am
Great Sampford 11.10am
Bannister Green 11.47am
Felsted 11.49am
Peloton
B184 Great Chesterford Junction 12.43pm
B184 Little Chesterford junction 12.45pm
Saffron Walden 12.50pm
Sewards End 12.56pm
Radwinter 1pm
Great Sampford 1.06pm
Bannister Green 1.40pm
Felsted 1.42pm
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