South Gloucestershire is getting ready to welcome the arrival of the 2022 AJ Bell Tour of Britain cycling race when it visits the district on Friday 9th September.
UPDATE: The Tour of Britain organisation, alongside the teams, riders and officials involved in the event, are deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
We would like to send our deepest condolences to the whole of the Royal Family.
As a result, stage six in Gloucestershire on Friday 9th September, scheduled to take place between Tewkesbury and Gloucester, will not take place.
Stage 6 of the 8-stage event covers 170.9km (106.3 miles) and sets off from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire at 11am. Race leaders will cross the border into South Gloucestershire on the A46 at Dunkirk (near Hawkesbury Upton) shortly after 1.30pm. The riders then drop down through Horton, into Chipping Sodbury and Yate, and out towards Iron Acton and Rangeworthy, before exiting the district from Charfield around 2.15pm and on to the finish in Gloucester.
View an interactive map of Stage 6 (on Google Maps).
Expected arrival times (earliest, likely, latest):
- Chipping Sodbury High Street – 13:38, 13:54, 14:09
- Iron Acton Garden Centre – 13:44, 14:00, 14:17
- Rangeworthy – 13:47, 14:04, 14:21
Further details of the route are available on a dedicated page of the South Gloucestershire Council website: Tour of Britain
School activities
Fourteen South Gloucestershire schools that will have the tour pass by or very near to them, have been informed and offered a range of Tour of Britain activities by South Gloucestershire Council, with resources and prizes to get their pupils involved and to inspire them to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. These activities include a cycle to school safely quiz, bling your bike, scooter or shoes competition, design a flag or poster competition and opportunities to sign up for council-run Bikeability cycle training.
Cllr Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:
“We are delighted that a significant section of the Tewkesbury to Gloucester stage of the UK’s most prestigious cycling event takes place in South Gloucestershire this Friday.”
“As well as the opportunity for local people to spectate a top sporting event on their doorstep and for free, we are using this occasion to highlight the importance of making the big switch to more sustainable and active transport.”
“South Gloucestershire Council is incredibly proud of the investment we continue to make in installing safe cycling and walking routes to make sustainable travel modes the natural choice; helping to tackle the climate and nature emergencies and reach net zero emissions by 2030.”
Residents have been informed that rolling road closures will be in place to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum along the Stage 6 route on Friday. This means roads on and around the race route will be closed to traffic for a short period (usually around 30 minutes) to enable the race to pass through safely.
There will also be parking suspensions along the route at Horton Hill, Horton and Chipping Sodbury High Street, as well as 300 metres prior to the sprint section at Rangeworthy on both sides of the carriageway.
A council spokesperson said:
“The Tour of Britain is escorted along the route by trained police officers and escort motorcyclists. If you are asked to stop by an officer, please listen carefully and follow their instructions.”
“The best viewing sites are Chipping Sodbury High Street and Rangeworthy village, although the sprint section at Rangeworthy will pass through very quickly. Find your safe spectator spot early and enjoy the build up to the peloton arriving. There will be an advance vehicle 15 minutes ahead of the race, keeping you up to date with what is happening.”
“Respect the riders – everyone is encouraged to support and cheer on the riders but please remember this is a major international race for them. Please don’t block their route, run alongside them or impede their progress. Keep children back from the edge of the road and animals on a lead, away from the roadside. Residents are encouraged to wave flags and South Gloucestershire Council will be giving some out in certain locations, but please keep flags, objects and photography equipment out of the road.”
TV coverage
ITV4 will be showing live coverage of the entire stage (10:45-15:45).
There will also be a highlights show on ITV4 at 20:00.
