Police issue travel advice ahead of Tour de Yorkshire

With this year's Tour de Yorkshire just days away, West Yorkshire Police has issued advice to people planning to travel on race days.
Last year's Tour de Yorkshire in Wakefield. Pic by Dean AtkinsLast year's Tour de Yorkshire in Wakefield. Pic by Dean Atkins
Last year's Tour de Yorkshire in Wakefield. Pic by Dean Atkins

More than one million spectators are expected to line the route to catch a glimpse of the cyclists over the three-day event, the biggest cycling race in the country.

Riders will tackle the first leg of the route from Beverley to Settle on Friday before passing through West Yorkshire on the Otley to Doncaster leg on Saturday.

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The race will finish with the last stretch from Middlesborough to Scarborough on Sunday.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Battle is in charge of the policing operation for Saturday.

He said: “I want the day to run as smoothly as possible – not only from a practical view but also to allow people to enjoy what promises to be a fantastic event.

“No one wants to be stuck in long tailbacks or traffic jams and I would urge anyone looking to travel on the Saturday to plan their journey accordingly.

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“There will be road closures – but most of these will only be on a rolling basis for around 40 minutes as the race passes through.

“There’s already plenty of advice about which roads will be shut and when and I would urge people to have a look and to think about the best option.”

Tracking software will give up to the minute progress of the race, which can be viewed through the Welcome to Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Police websites and social media accounts.

Assistant Chief Constable Battle said: “To help spectators and other people going about their daily business know when the race has fully passed through their area there will be a vehicle run by Welcome to Yorkshire that will be at the back and is clearly marked as the final vehicle.

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“This year there will be around 1,000 people volunteering as ‘Tour Makers’ over the three days and the event has previously highlighted the very best that Yorkshire has to offer. Let’s make it another event to remember.”

The women’s race on Saturday begins at 8.15am and is expected to finish around noon.

The second leg of the men’s race begins on Saturday at 2.30pm and is expected to finish at around 5.30pm.

Both races follow the same 136km course. The route starts in Otley town centre and then takes in Pool in Wharfedale, Harewood, East Rigton, Aberford, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Monk Fryston, Knottingley, Pontefract, Wentbridge, South Elmsall, Hooton Pagnell, Sprotbrough, Conisbrough, Tickhill and Bawtry before finishing in Doncaster.