OVO Energy Tour of Britain - road closures

Motorists are being warned of a number of road closures as Warwickshire prepares for the return of the UK's premier men's cycle race.

Rolling closures will be in effect when the OVO Energy Tour of Britain passes through the county on Friday, September 13, reducing disruption on local roads, with permanent closures also being kept to a minimum.

Warwickshire County Council has urged locals to plan ahead when travelling on the day of the race and to make sure others are aware of the planned closures as well as parking restrictions.

Thousands are expected to line the streets as the tour returns to Warwickshire for the second year running, with the world's best cyclists setting off at Warwick Racecourse before tackling the 188.7km route, which culminates in a hill-top finish at Burton Dassett Country Park.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: "We are expecting huge crowds to be lining the streets when the tour passes through the county, but for those who have prior engagements on the day, we will once again be making use of rolling road closures to reduce disturbances.

"These rolling closures will be in place across the county, designed to keep roads closed as briefly as possible, and ensure the day is enjoyable for everyone.

"The roads surrounding the finish at Burton Dassett Country Park will be subject to permanent closures throughout the day, so please take this into consideration when making travel arrangements.

"It would be fantastic to see those that aren't travelling out of the county showing their support and joining in the excitement by watching the tour go past their homes and workplaces."

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain will travel through all five districts and boroughs of Warwickshire for the first time when it returns in September, hosted by Warwickshire County Council with support from Warwick District Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Rugby Borough Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council and once again end in Burton Dassett Country Park.

The 188.7km route will visit Warwick, Kenilworth, the University of Warwick, Meridan, Fillongley, Atherstone, Mancetter, Hartshill, Galley Common, Corley, Bedworth, Bulkington, Brinklow, Long Lawford, Bilton, Dunchurch, Kites Hardwick, Princethorpe, Ashorne, Wellesbourne, Ettington, Edgehill, Warmington, Temple Herdewyke, and includes three ascents of Burton Dassett on a 12km route.

The peloton will head up towards Meriden via Kenilworth and Berkswell, before travelling across North Warwickshire to Bedworth and Bulkington.

Riders will then head south towards Brinklow and the outskirts of Rugby, and back up to Princethorpe before racing along Fosse Way, down to Wellesbourne, and through Ettington and Edgehill.

Two Eisberg Sprints await competitors during the stage, the first at Brinklow, and the second at Pillerton Priors.

Competitors will then face three Skoda King of the Mountain challenges in a gruelling final stretch including two full loops of Burton Dassett County Park before crossing the tour's first-ever hill top finish line.

ITV4 will once again screen live free-to-air coverage flag-to-flag of each stage in the UK, along with a nightly highlights programme of the best of the action.

More details about the OVO Energy Tour of Britain can be found at www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-seven