Final preparations are underway to bring an elite cycle race to the area next month.
On Friday, 8 October, the world’s top female cyclists will race between Colchester and Clacton on Stage 5 of the AJ Bell Women’s Tour – including World time trial champion Ellen van Dijk and defending event champion Lizzie Deignan.
Part of the UCI’s world cycling tour, the Women’s Tour will see almost 100 riders battle it out on the roads of North Essex for the stage win, and to position themselves in the overall race.
From 11.30am, the route takes the peloton from Colchester’s Northern Gateway Sports Park and through the historic town centre before the riders pedal out of the borough to Ardleigh and Great Bromley.
They will then ride on to Clacton, via Elmstead Market, before completing a loop of Tendring district.
To enable the race to happen safely a rolling road closure will be in place along most of the route – meaning streets will be open either side of the event as riders head to the finish line.
A full road closure will be in place from 5am until 8pm along Marine Parade West and part of West Road to facilitate the finish line and event. Residents living close to the road closure will receive a letter in the next few days with additional information.
Cllr Alex Porter, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at Tendring District Council, said: “As we’ve seen before when we have hosted the Women’s Tour, we know what a fantastic event this is and the value it adds to our tourism offer far outweighs the relatively minor inconvenience of road closures.”
Cllr Sue Lissimore, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Deputy Leader at Colchester Borough Council, added: “Having some of the world’s best female cyclists whizzing through our historic town centre is going to provide a fantastic buzz and I hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to cheer them on.
“Obviously it is important for us to help people to see the event, as well as continuing to support our town centre to thrive. This is why we are using rolling road closures to ensure minimum impact on road users whilst enabling a safe and spectacular event for shoppers and visitors to the town to enjoy.”
The temporary closures are scheduled to start between 10.45am-4.30pm. Alternative routes will be available for use as diversions, including the A12, A120, and A133. Access for emergency vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.
For more details on the stage route, including likely timings, visit www.womenstour.co.uk/stages/stage-5/.
Page last reviewed: 28 September 2021