Preparatory highways works are set to take place in Lincoln and Skegness ahead of the Tour of Britain arriving in Lincolnshire this September.
To ensure the county can safely host the UK’s biggest free-to-view sporting event, a number of traffic islands along the race route will be temporarily removed or adjusted to accommodate the race infrastructure. This will provide the space needed for riders, support vehicles and event operations.
In Lincoln, three traffic islands will be temporarily removed or reconfigured ahead of Stage 1 of the race, which will begin in the city before heading through the Lincolnshire countryside.
Two of these (located at West Parade/Yarborough Road junction and Newport outside Stags Head) will be replaced with demountable islands that can be removed each year for the Lincoln Grand Prix to make the race safer. These new islands will be installed after the Tour of Britain.
The planned works in Lincoln include:
- West Parade / Yarborough Road island – night-time works to remove the traffic island will take place over one night during w/c 10th August. A temporary road closure will be in place for this, with a signed diversion route via Orchard Street, Newland, The Avenue and Yarborough Road.
- Newport island – night-time works to remove the traffic island will take place over one night during w/c 10th August. A temporary road closure will be in place for one night, with a signed diversion route via Newport, Yarborough Crescent, Burton Road, Rasen Lane and Newport.
- West Parade / Beaumont Fee / Motherby Lane island – daytime works to re-align the traffic island will take place from Monday 17 August for five days. A 24/7 road closure will be in place during these works, with a signed diversion route via Beaumont Fee, Newland, The Avenue, Yarborough Road, Burton Road, Union Road, Drury Lane, Spring Hill and Beaumont Fee.
Preparatory works will also take place in Skegness ahead of Stage 2, which will finish on the coast.
Two traffic islands will be temporarily removed to help facilitate the race finish:
- Lumley Road junction with Drummond Road – to be carried out under temporary lane closures.
- Clock Tower roundabout / Grand Parade – to be carried out under a temporary one-way closure to northbound traffic (with a local diversion route in place).
Cllr David East, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Hosting the Tour of Britain is a fantastic opportunity for Lincolnshire, but delivering an event of this scale safely requires careful planning and some essential preparatory works.
“To make sure the race route is safe and suitable for riders, support teams and spectators, a small number of traffic islands need to be temporarily removed or adjusted in Lincoln and Skegness. We understand these works may cause some short-term disruption, and we’ll do everything we can to keep this to a minimum.
“Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place where required, helping residents, businesses and visitors continue to travel around the affected areas. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and support as we prepare to welcome this exciting event to Lincolnshire.”
Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Hosting the Tour of Britain is a huge moment for Lincolnshire. As the country's biggest free-to-attend sporting event, it gives us an incredible opportunity to showcase our city, our county and everything we have to offer to millions of people watching in person and on television.
"Events like this bring significant cultural and economic benefits, attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and inspiring people of all ages to get involved in cycling and physical activity. We're proud to be welcoming some of the world's best riders to Lincoln and look forward to giving them a warm Lincolnshire welcome."
The Tour of Britain will visit Lincolnshire in early September, with Stage 1 starting and ending in Lincoln on Wednesday 2 September. Stage 2 will take on Thursday 3 September, with the race starting in Boston and ending in Skegness.
The routes will showcase some of Lincolnshire’s most iconic locations and provide a unique opportunity to highlight the county to a national and international audience.
Full information about the Lloyds Tour of Britain, including road closures and event updates, is available at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tourofbritain.