Road closures and travel information for Le Grand Départ
As Yorkshire prepares for its sprawling road network to swap four wheels for two as some of the world’s finest athletes visit the county, warnings have been issued to motorists about how they might be affected.
The Grand Départ leg of the Tour de France sets off from Leeds on Saturday travelling north as far as the Buttertubs pass before finishing in Harrogate.
The following day the riders set off from York on a route passing around Leeds and Bradford and finishing in Sheffield.
Click here for full route details.**
The Highways Agency has warned motorists of several planned closures and diversions on the days but as always, the most important advice given is to plan ahead.
Below is a list of some of the most significant closures outside of city and town centres.
Saturday:
After the cyclists leave Leeds they travel through North Yorkshire to Buttertubs Pass, the steepest climb in the Grand Départ - covering 732 feet in just under 2.5 miles - the through the North Yorkshire Dales and down to Harrogate. Motorists using the A1(M) and A66 to get to viewing points at Hawes, Aysgarth and Leyburn should be aware of traffic measures on these roads.
A66 / A1(M) / M1 – hard signing, variable message signs and directional signs in place to inform drivers
As the tour approaches Harrogate, the main routes into the town will be affected and visitors are advised to travel early to avoid disappointment.
A1(M) junction 45, 47 and 48 – traffic management will be in place all day on Saturday to manage any delays at these junctions as drivers head towards Harrogate
Sunday:
The cyclists depart York for a 200km ride to Sheffield, passing through Harrogate and around Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield. Main routes around these will be closed for parts of the day as the tour passes through:
A1(M) junction 47 - exit slip roads will be closed from 3am on Sunday morning until the afternoon (re-opening time dependent on race progress and traffic conditions)
M62 junction 24 - exit slip roads closed from 5.30am on Sunday morning until late afternoon (re-opening time dependent on race progress and traffic conditions)
A628 – will be closed between 00.01am on Sunday morning until 9pm on Sunday evening. There will be a full closure between Tintwistle (Old Road junction with the A628) and Stocksbridge (Manchester Road junction with A616). There will also be additional eastbound restrictions in place between Motram (A57 junction with the A6108) and Tintwistle (Old Road junction with A628). Between these locations there will only be access eastbound to authorised vehicles and residents
For a full list of closures near you click your area: