Motorists urged to plan their journey ahead of Tour de France
Road users are being urged to plan their journey for the world’s biggest annual sporting event on Monday (7 July).
The 2014 Tour de France will start in Yorkshire and visit the East region during Stage 3 from Cambridge to London.
The route will have consequences for city and town communities in the region. The East network will be a lot busier on the day, with high numbers of additional travelling spectators and diverted commuter and commercial traffic.
Highways Agency Emergency Planning Manager, Nigel Allsopp, said:
As the excitement builds for the Tour de France we’re reminding road users to plan ahead. Choose in advance where you want to watch the race from and plan your journey. Check our traffic and travel information channels, set off early and allow plenty of time.
We have two road closures in place due to the route passing through our network, but these will be clearly signposted and additional Highways Agency response teams will be available on the network.
Drivers should be aware junctions 7 to 13 on the M11 are expected to be busy and delays are likely.
Our aim is to keep the Highways Agency network running whilst keeping road users safe and informed. There may be a need for further closures on the day to prevent traffic from stacking on the county roads but we will closely monitor this situation.
The Agency will be bolstering its service to customers in a variety of ways, there will be additional Highways Agency response teams on duty during the event and on standby to deal with incidents.
There are two planned closures on the Highways Agency network which will take place from 6am on Monday, July 7:
- Junction 9a of the M11 northbound, both slip roads. Drivers will be directed onto the M11 southbound and exit at junction 8, but motorists should be aware that from junctions 10 to 13 congestion is likely due to local road closures and event traffic.
- A11 Stumps Cross southbound, both slip roads. Non-motorway traffic will be directed to use the A1307.
The Highways Agency provides live traffic information via its website www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, iPhone app, local radio travel bulletins and electronic road signs. Travel information is also available by phone from the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000 and updates will be provided via Twitter @HAtraffic_east More information on local road closures can be found on your local council website or at http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/stage-3.html
In 2012, the Roads Minister asked the Highways Agency to investigate cycle provision hotspots on the Agency’s road network. Working closely with Sustrans, the charity which works to encourage sustainable transport, and using information from The Times ‘Cities Fit for Cycling’ campaign, the Agency identified 100 potential locations. Feasibility studies were carried out on the 20 highest priority sites and, following liaison with the Cyclist’s Touring Club and British Cycling, a list of 13 schemes across the country was drawn up to be delivered this year.
The Agency has also developed a new approach to developing cycling schemes which sees cycling improvements assessed separately from schemes for motorised vehicles. By separating out the cycling schemes the Agency guarantees that the highest priority locations will be considered for the construction of future cycling schemes.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer