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Devon's Tour of Britain big day

All you need to know about the race

Starting in Cranbrook, Stage 2 of the eight day race, covers 174km (108miles) of Devon countryside before finishing in Barnstaple town centre. The first stage was in South Wales yesterday (Sunday 2nd September). 

The route runs from Cranbrook to Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Dunkeswell, Hemyock, Uffculme, Tiverton, Witheridge, South Molton, Bratton Fleming, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Croyde, and Braunton, before arriving in Barnstaple.

Rolling road closures will be implemented by Devon County Council Highway’s department and Devon and Cornwall Police, meaning the majority of roads that race travels on will only be closed for the time it takes for the race to pass by.

But in Cranbrook and Barnstaple, the start and finish towns, there will be road closures and on-street parking restrictions in place.

Cranbrook

  • Younghayes Road from Three Corner Field/Seven Acres to Burrough Fields will be closed from 4am until 2pm.
  • Cranbrook Station car park will be closed from 6am until 2pm (access to Cranbrook Station via Burrough Fields will be permitted until 6am).
  • Copse Close Lane car park next to St Martin’s Primary School will be closed between 4am and 2pm.

Clearway zones (no parking)

  • Tillhouse Road will be a clearway except for designated parking bays from 4am until 2pm.
  • Burrough Fields will be a clearway from 4am until 2pm.
  • Court Royal will be a clearway from 4am until 2pm.
  • St Michael’s Way will be a clearway from 4am until 2pm.

Bus diversion

Stagecoach Service 4 will be rerouted from Younghayes Road to St Michael’s Way where there will be temporary bus stops in place. After 2pm normal service will resume via Younghayes Road.

A spectator car park on Court Royal Road will be available and will be signposted by road diversion signs. The car park is a 15 minute walk away from the event.

Barnstaple

Sunday, September 2, into Monday, September 3

  • Commercial Road, Castle Quay: Closed to traffic and no access to parking from 5pm on September 2 until 9pm on September 3.

Monday, September 3

  • The Strand, Castle Street and North Walk (between Tuly Street and Castle Street): Closed to all traffic from 5am until 9pm.
  • North Walk from its junction with Pilton Causeway: Access to Tuly Street maintained from 5am until midday.
  • North Walk from its junction with Pilton Causeway: Closed to all traffic from midday until 5pm.
  • North Walk from its junction with Pilton Causeway: Access only from 5pm until 9pm.
  • Rolle Street – Braunton Road to its junction with Pilton Causeway: Access only maintained from 5am until midday.
  • Rolle Street – Braunton Road to its junction with Pilton Causeway: Closed to all traffic from midday until 5pm.
  • Taw Vale – junction with Litchdon Street to New Road: Closed to all traffic from 5am until 530pm.
  • Taw Vale – Belle Meadow to junction with Litchdon Street: Closed to all traffic from midday until 4pm.
  • New Road – junction with Victoria Road to Taw Vale: Closed to all traffic from 1030am until 4pm.
  • Cross Street, High Street, Boutport Street and Long Bridge: Closed to all traffic from 2pm until 4pm.

The following car parks will be closed from 5pm on September 2 until 9pm on September 3

  • Castle Quay.
  • Commercial Road.
  • Museum car park on The Square.
  • Litchdon Street.

The following car parks will have restricted access:

  • Cattle Market: normal operation but restricted access from 1pm until 4pm.
  • Tuly Street: normal operation but restricted access from 1pm until 4pm.
  • North Walk: normal operation but restricted access from 1pm until 4pm.
  • Paiges Lane: normal operation but restricted access from 1pm until 4pm.
  • Fair View: normal operation but restricted access from 3pm until 4pm.

Additional parking is available at:

  • Park School: this car park is a 20 minute walk, 6 minute cycle or a 10 minute bus ride from the event area.
  • Seven Brethren: additional spaces will be made available in this car park and it is an 8 minute walk from the event area.

 

Estimated times of arrival, based on the predicted average speed of the peloton of 42kmph are as follows. Times of arrival will depend on the speed of the race on the day and could vary by up for 30 minutes either way by the conclusion of the stage.

Cranbrook – 11am

Ottery St Mary – 11.17am

Honiton – 11.39am

Dunkeswell – 11.50am

Hemyock – 12.01pm

Culmstock – 12.05pm

Uffculme – 12.12pm

Tiverton – 12.28pm

Withleigh – 12.37pm

South Molton – 1.18pm

Landkey – 1.40pm

Bratton Fleming – 2.04pm

Combe Martin – 2.20pm

Ilfracombe – 2.33pm

Woolacombe – 2.47pm

Croyde – 2.59pm

Braunton – 3.09pm

Barnstaple – 3.21pm

Finish line on the Strand, Barnstaple – 3.24pm

A Devon County Council spokesman said: “Large numbers of spectators are expected to visit on race day so residents, commuters and visitors to Barnstaple on Monday, September 3, are advised to leave more time for their journey.

“To safely accommodate this major sporting event it is necessary to suspend some parking and close a number of roads in the afternoon towards a final sprint on the Strand.

“Organisers are working hard to keep road closures to a minimum but there will be some disruption and delays, particularly between 1.30pm and 4pm, in and around Barnstaple.

“The closures will limit access to some businesses and properties.”

The spokesman advised that it is recommended that the public walk, cycle or use public transport on the day if possible, but if you are driving, please leave plenty of time and ensure you plan your journey to take account of the road closures and parking suspensions.

They added: “Hourly train services are running from Exeter Central and regular bus services are running to and from the town.

“The Tarka Trail connects Bideford and Braunton with Barnstaple and is one option for cyclists wishing to travel between the towns.

“Cyclists intending to travel part of the way by train are advised to check with the train operator on their policy regarding the carriage of bikes.”

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management with responsibility for cycling said: “The Tour gives Devon a massive boost, with the last two Devon Stages injecting an extra £11m into the local economy.

“And, as in 2012 when Barnstaple held the stage start, the town will be one of the communities that will benefit the most.

“Businesses in Barnstaple are recommended to reschedule deliveries where possible to and those attending medical or business appointments should plan their travel arrangements.

“If you are a hotelier or holiday accommodation provider in the area, please ensure your guests are aware of the event.

“Please plan your journey and allow extra time for travelling.”

Cllr Rodney Cann, North Devon Council’s Executive Member for Environment added: “This is a prestigious event and we are delighted to welcome it to North Devon. It will undoubtedly give a boost to our local economy and encourage more people to get on their bikes and stay healthy.

“There will be some road closures on the day, and this may impact waste and recycling collections for those residents who live along the route.

“We will take what measures we can to avoid disruption to collections and we will update our website with instructions for residents as we get closer to the race day.”

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