A66 advice as Tour of Britain takes the stage in Cumbria
Drivers in Cumbria are being reminded the Tour of Britain will be in the county on Monday (5 September) – for the day long Stage 2 event from Carlisle to Kendal.
Most of the action will be taking place away from key routes but Highways England is advising drivers the A66 will be affected a number of times during the day – including the closure of Kemplay roundabout near Penrith for up to an hour.
Local roads are also likely to be very busy at points of the day with spectator traffic plus occasional congestion associated with temporary road closures as the cyclists pass through each location.
Some delays are likely along the A66 route at various points during late morning and early afternoon as the cyclists snake through Lakeland – crossing the A66 twice and using a short section of it, between Braithwaite and Portinscale, as part of the stage.
A66 congestion is most likely – for an hour around noon – at Kemplay roundabout where the A66 meets the A6, with traffic heading east from junction 40 of the M6 also likely to be affected.
Highways England events planning manager Chris Chadwick said:
We are advising drivers to note this event is happening between Carlisle and Kendal and around the lakes next week and to familiarise themselves with some of the details and timings so they can plan journeys accordingly if they want to avoid congestion.
The stage starts in Carlisle at 10.45am and will head to Penrith, with lead vehicles followed by the cyclists, due in the town at around 11.35am. From then on the A66 will be affected for a couple of hours with brief carriageway closures as cyclists cross or use the route including:
- 11.40am: Tour travels southbound along A6 out of Penrith and through Kemplay roundabout with the A66 and the roundabout closed for up to an hour
- 12.15pm: Tour travelling northbound along the B5288 crosses the A66 again, east of Troutbeck
- 1.10pm: Tour north of Bassenthwaite Lake will take local roads around Embleton parallel to the A66 before heading into Cockermouth; there will be no A66 closures here but drivers are asked to note the proximity of the stage route to the A66
- 1:20pm: the cyclists travel south out of Cockermouth along the B5292 and go under the A66 at Lorton Road Bridge
- 1:40pm: Tour reaches and joins the A66 from the B5292 at Braithwaite and, travelling eastbound, leaves the A66 for the A5271 at High Hill and other routes, reaching Kendal shortly after 3pm
More information about the event is available at the Tour of Britain website. Highways England provides live traffic information via its website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Information is also available from Twitter via @highwaysNWEST as well as services in other regions.
Providing they can do so safely, road users can also call the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000 to keep up to date with road conditions.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.