Get ready for the 2013 Tour of Britain - a spectators' guide
Spectators have 85 miles (137km) of Devon’s roads to choose from when it comes to being part of the 10th anniversary Tour of Britain in the county on Friday 20 September.
Devon County Council will host Stage Six of The Tour, starting in Sidmouth and finishing at Haytor, in Dartmoor National Park.
Crowds are being tipped to exceed last year’s record of 220,000 spectators that lined the route in Devon, and the advice is to leave plenty of time to travel to where you’re planning to watch the action, in order to avoid delays. Among the world class teams taking part are Sky Pro Cycling, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Garmin – Sharp, Movistar, and Omega Pharma - Quick Step.
As well as the start and finish venues, some of the most exciting places to see 114 of the world’s top professional cyclists competing for the IG Gold Jersey in Britain’s premier cycle race will be the SKODA King of the Mountains climbs at Pennsylvania Road on the outskirts of Exeter, Mamhead, and Six Mile Hill on Dartmoor.
The Yodel Sprints outside Blundell’s School in Tiverton, through Exeter High Street and at Chudleigh will offer some of the fastest racing along the route.
The Stage also passes through a number of other communities including Sidbury, Honiton, Willand, Moretonhampstead and Bovey Tracey before the challenging climax in Dartmoor National Park.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We have enjoyed some incredible Devon Stages of The Tour of Britain over the years, and this one will be extra special. With it being the Tour’s 10th anniversary, we’re achieving a first with the summit finish at Haytor. The Stage takes in some stunning locations throughout the route, from Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast to Dartmoor National Park so there is plenty of opportunity for people to enjoy the race and for communities to be part of this great sporting occasion. The start and finish venues are always popular, and we hope that visitors will provide the local economy with a welcome boost by making a day of it.”
Councillor Iain Chubb, Cabinet Member for Environment at East Devon District Council, said: “This will provide a welcome boost to the year-round attractions that Sidmouth has to offer residents and visitors alike, sitting as it does on the amazing Unesco World Heritage Coast. It will be wonderful to see crowds lining our seafront and streets to watch this fantastic sporting spectacle. Sidmouth will be looking its very best for the race itself and the other events that are being organised around it. We’re all looking forward to this very special day.”
Bill Hitchins, Chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: “The Authority is delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to Dartmoor for a fourth year, and it is particularly exciting to have a summit finish at Haytor. The gruelling climb to the finish at this iconic Dartmoor location will be a highlight and we expect a great many people will want to witness this landmark event in the history of the Tour. With the Tour of Britain being broadcast to over 125 countries this year it provides a unique opportunity to showcase Dartmoor National Park to a worldwide audience.”
Councillor Jeremy Christophers, Leader of Teignbridge District Council, said: “Cycling is growing into a huge sport in Devon and we are delighted to be able to make it even bigger and better for people of all ages. Lots of planning has gone into making sure it’s a day to remember. It will be a real occasion for me as well as Haytor is my own ward.
“We would urge people to start thinking about their plans for the day now and a good place to start is to check out the website where there is lots of useful information on road closures, parking facilities and community events. It’s not just about the main bike race itself – the community events that form a part of The Tour of Britain are an important factor in giving people the opportunity to enjoy cycling and discover more about what the area has to offer. The Devon stage has lots to offer and we hope people enjoy it.”
Road Closures
There will be fixed road closures in place in the start and finish locations – Sidmouth and Haytor, Dartmoor – as well as in Exeter, and rolling road closures all along the route of the race enforced by 62 police and civilian motorcycles. The rolling road closures will only be in effect for a limited period to allow the race and race vehicles to travel through towns and villages safely and to allow residents, businesses and visitors ample opportunity to see the event safely. Every effort will be made to re-open the roads as soon as it is safe to do so.
Sidmouth -
To enable the Criterium race to take place in Sidmouth, on Thursday 19 September, road closures will be in effect from 5pm to 8pm on:
• The Esplanade (Glen Road to port Royal – eastern end),
• Station Road (Fortfield Terrace to The Esplanade),
• Chapel Road (The Esplanade to Chapel Street),
• Chapel Street (Chapel Road to Church Street),
• Prospect Place (Market Square to The Esplanade),
• Dove Lane (Fore Street to Prospect Place),
• New Street (Fore Street to Market Square),
• Fore Street (High Street to The Esplanade),
• Russell Street (High Street to Mill Street),
• Ham Lane (The Esplanade to East Street),
• York Street (East Street to Russell Street),
• Mill Street (Russell Street to High Street),
• High Street (Blackmore Drive to Fore Street),
• Old Fore Street (High Street to Market Place), and
• Church Street (Market place to The Triangle)
Bus and vehicle access to Bedford Car Park on Station Road will be permitted up to 6pm on Thursday 19 September, and on-street parking will be suspended from 4pm on Thursday 19 September on The Esplanade, Glen Road (The Esplanade to Manor Road), Station Road (The Esplanade roundabout towards The Triangle), High Street (Mill Street to Russell Street), Fore Street, Old Fore Street, Mill Street, New Street, Church Street, Market Place, and The Triangle.
For the start of the Devon Stage of The Tour of Britain on Friday 20 September, the following roads will be closed to vehicles from 5am to 1pm:
• Peak Hill Road (Manor Road to Glen Road),
• The Esplanade (Glen Road to Port Royal – eastern end),
• Station Road (The Esplanade to The Triangle),
• Prospect Place (The Esplanade to New Street),
• Dove Lane,
• Fore Street (The Esplanade to New Street), and
• Ham Lane (The Esplanade to York Street) Emergency vehicles only
Access will be permitted to Bedford Car Park in Station Road.
Fore Street (New Street to High Street), and High Street (Fore Street to All Saints Road) will be closed to vehicles from 8.30am to 12noon.
On-street parking will be suspended from 5am to 1pm on Friday 20 September along The Esplanade, Glen Road (The Esplanade to Manor Road), Station Road (The Esplanade to The Triangle), High Street, Fore Street, Old Fore Street, New Street, and Vicarage Road (Salcombe Road towards Sidbury).
The A375 (from All Saints Road towards Sidbury) will be subject to a rolling road closure once the race is underway, which is scheduled at 11am.
Exeter -
The race is expected on the outskirts of Exeter at around 12.30pm, although race timings may vary.
There will be rolling road closures on Pennsylvania Road (from outskirts of Exeter to Prince of Wales Road / Union Road junction), Countess Wear Roundabout, and Bridge Road / Sannerville Way and onto Exminster.
A number of roads will be closed to vehicles from around 12.15pm to 13.20pm on Friday 20 September. These are:
• Pennsylvania Road (from junction with Prince of Wales Road / Union Road to roundabout),
• Longbrook Street (from roundabout to York Road junction),
• York Road,
• Sidwell Street,
• High Street,
• South Street,
• Western Way Roundabout,
• Holloway Street, and
• Topsham Road
On-street parking and residents parking will be suspended from 9am to 1pm along Pennsylvania Road.
Haytor, Dartmoor -
The B3387 Station Road Roundabout, Bovey Tracey to Hemsworthy Gate, Dartmoor, will be closed to vehicles from 9pm on Thursday 19 September to 7.30pm on Friday 20 September. On-street parking will not be permitted.
There will be a rolling road closure on the A382 from Moretonhampstead to Bovey Tracey, when the race is expected in this area at around 2.20pm.
Haytor car parks will be closed from 9pm on Wednesday 18 September to 7.30pm on Friday 20 September.
Cold East Cross to the junction with the A383 will be one-way (southbound) from 2.30pm to 4pm (southbound) on Friday 20 September and no parking will be permitted from 5am to 4pm.
Parking and Transport
In Sidmouth, all car parks are open. Parking is available in Manor Road, Ham Lane, Bedford car park in Station Road, Russell Street and Temple Street.
No parking is permitted at Haytor and visitors are advised to use the park and rides at Parke Estate and Holwell Down. National bus passes are not valid on either of these services.
If you are approaching from Exeter, use the Parke Estate Park & Ride which has space for 400 cars operating from a field car park at the Dartmoor National Park Headquarters at Parke, just outside Bovey Tracey. The Holwell Down Park & Ride, operating from a field car park just off the B3387, will cater for traffic approaching from Plymouth, Tavistock, Okehampton and North Devon, and has capacity for 2,800 cars.
The Parke Estate Park & Ride will drop passengers at Moorlands House at Haytor, and the Holwell Down Service will travel to Saddle Tor Car Park at Haytor, both around half a mile from the finish.
Both Park & Ride sites open at 8am for parking and cycling or walking. The Park & Ride services will operate around every 20 minutes, between 9am and 5pm. Times may vary according to circumstances. The last service before the race arrives is approximately 1pm from Parke, and 1:30pm from Holwell Down. The first buses to the car parks after the race finishes is approximately 3.15pm.
The Parke Estate park and ride is being operated by volunteers from the Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team Ashburton. Tickets cost £10 per vehicle which includes all day parking and return bus travel for up to seven people. All proceeds from the Parke Park & Ride will go to supporting the Search and Rescue Team’s work. The Holwell Down park and ride costs £5 per vehicle, which includes all day parking and return bus travel for up to seven people.
Anyone cycling to and from Haytor is reminded to take care as routes will be shared with team vehicles, buses, cyclists and walkers. An alternative cycle route between Haytor and Bovey Tracey will be signposted on the day. The route will be via Haytor, B3387, Green Lane, Brimley, Brimley Lane, Brimley Road, Ashburton Road and then into Bovey Tracey and vice versa.
Camping
Camping is not permitted on Haytor. Recommended campsites in the area are Five Wyches Camping in Bovey Tracey, Holwell Down in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, and Ullacombe Farm in Bovey Tracey, all of which have camping for tents and motor homes. For other accommodation providers, visit the Dartmoor Partnership at www.dartmoor.co.uk.
The race will start in Peebles in Scotland on Sunday 15 September and finish in London on Sunday 22 September.
Live coverage of The Tour of Britain will be screened every day on ITV4 and British Eurosport, with highlights every evening.
Devon Stage - Stage Six (Estimated times)
Start - The Esplanade, Sidmouth 11.00
Yodel Sprint - Outside Blundell’s School, Tiverton 12.09
Skoda K.O.M - Pennsylvania Road, Exeter (Category 2) 12.40
Yodel Sprint - Exeter High Street 12:44
Skoda K.O.M - Mamhead (Category 2) 13.15
Yodel Sprint - Chudleigh 13:30
Skoda K.O.M - Six Mile Hill, Dartmoor (Category 2) 14:02
Skoda K.O.M & Finish - Haytor, Dartmoor 14:30
For more information go to www.southwesttourofbritain.co.uk , www.tourofbritain.co.uk , www.dartmoor.gov.uk , www.teignbridge.gov.uk , www.eastdevon.gov.uk and on Twitter follow @SWTourofBritain.
