RACE DETAILS
Where and when is the Tour de France in Essex?
In 2014 the Tour de France returns to the UK for 3 stages. The Yorkshire Grand Depart comprises two stages - Leeds to Harrogate and York to Sheffield. The Tour moves south for a third stage which begins in Cambridge, before entering 4 districts of Essex (Uttlesford, Braintree, Chelmsford and Epping Forest). Stage 3 finishes in London.
- Saturday 5th July - Stage One: Leeds - Harrogate: 190km (118 miles)
- Sunday 6th July - Stage Two: York - Sheffield: 200km (125 miles)
- Monday 7th July - Stage Three: Cambridge-Essex- London: 159km (106 miles)
Where can I access a detailed description of the route in Essex?
- You can find this HERE.
What is the Tour's Caravan?
- The Caravan is a terrific spectacle and a great family attraction. A procession of elaborate floats and vehicles precedes the racing action, 180 vehicles in total distributing 15milion items to fans at the roadside across 3 weeks of the Tour. It is expected that the whole caravan will travel the route of Stage 3 which includes Essex.
What time does the race enter Essex?
- The caravan travels the route just over three quarters of an hour before the race itself and takes just over three quarters of an hour to pass. The race itself, including the peloton and support vehicles takes just over half an hour to pass.
- Timings for Essex are as follows:
- Caravan arrives in Essex10.44am
- Race arrives in Essex12.42pm
- Caravan departs Essex 13.09pm
- Race departs Essex 14.55pm
ROAD CLOSURESROAD MANAGEMENT
Which roads will close and when?
The scale of the event is huge with 200 riders, 2,000 vehicles and up to 5,000 officials and press staff. The event organisers will work with all agencies to ensure the minimum road closure timeframe is in place but it is anticipated the closures will be in place for up to 8 hours. Special dispensation will be given to emergency services.
The route of stage 3 of the Tour de France 2014 is shown on this MAP. The route will be closed as follows:
- The route in Uttlesford and Braintree will close at 7.30am and open at 4pm.
- The route in Chelmsford will close at 8.00am and open at 5pm
- Epping DC north of the A414 will close 8am and open at 5pm.
- Epping DC south of the A414 and including the A414 will close 9am and open at 5pm.
Roads which lead directly to the route will be ‘access only’ from the junction closest to the route. A small amount of these roads may be closed. We shall update this site with further information as soon as we have it.
During these times novehicles will be allowed onto roads which comprise the route of the race.
If you are directly on the route and need to travel, or accept deliveries, visitors and so on, you will not be able to do this within the times given. We suggest you look at contingencies. For example, in many cases it may be possible to park off the route then walk to your vehicle on the day to travel away from the route. Businesses should look at rearranging their operations in accordance with vehicle restrictions on the day.
If you live or are based just off the route then there are two potential scenarios;
- If your road leads directly to the route and there is no access apart from via the route then your road is effectively landlocked on the day.
- If your road leads directly to the route but you can access or exit your road without entering the route then you will be able to travel on the day. Roads leading directly to the route will be ‘access only.’ That is to say you can travel down these roads if you need to access a building or location on this road but will not be able to continue onto the route or travel on the route.
You should look carefully at the roads in your area in order to understand the most appropriate routes in and out of your location on the day.
Travel across the route will only be possible via the A120 as at this point the route crosses the A120 via a bridge. There are no other locations at which the closed route can be crossed on the day.
Please note the A120, A12 and, in particular the M11 are likely to be extremely busy on the day and if you are planning to travel via these routes you should allow additional time.
Why are the road closures so extensive when there are only rolling road closures for this event on the continent?
These decisions have been made at the request of the race organisers on the basis of safety and security and the difference between English and French roads and traffic regulation systems. There is a considerable amount of race infrastructure to be installed which cannot safely be done in live traffic. We are working to minimise the amount of disruption these closures will cause and will be working to ensure that the roads are reopened at the earliest opportunity and as soon as it is safe to do so.
I run a business on the route. What do I need to know?
The route is closed and timings and further information will be available from District, Borough and City councils.
Will the pot holes be filled on Essex roads?
The race organisers have stated that provided the road surface meets our current policy standards this is a sufficient standard for the race. Hence, no additional works will be required. We are, however, looking into the scheduling of existing planned works to support the event.
TRAVEL
Can I travel on the M11/ A120 / A12 on the day? What are conditions likely to be like?
All major routes including the M11 / A120 / A12 will be open but very busy.
I live on the route. How will I travel on the day?
During the closure you will not have vehicle access to your home or premises. We strongly advise you to consider making alternative arrangements if you need to travel on the day. If you live just off the route you should not be affected. However there may be some areas where the only access out of the area in any direction is via the closed roads, in this case the advice above will also apply.
How do I travel to work?
If your route is closed you need to make alternative arrangements for the day.
Can I travel on the M11/ A120 / A12 on the day? What are conditions likely to be like?
All major routes including the M11 / A120 / A12 will be open but very busy.
If I plan to travel by train on the day do I need to book a ticket in advance?
We would strongly advise this. Not only will it guarantee your place it will be a useful tool to alert train companies to numbers who wish to travel so they can consider putting on extra services.
Will public transport be available during the day to watch the race?
Check with your bus provider as some services will be affected on the day.
What are the closest rail stations to the route?
Volunteers will be situated at transport hubs helping to direct spectators to the route. The stations closest to the route are as follows:
- Uttlesford:Great Chesterford station – 20 minute walk to the race
- Braintree:Braintree station – 40 minute walk to race down ancient cycleway
- Chelmsford: Chelmsford station – 20 minute walk to the race
What are the closest underground stations to the route?
Travelling from Epping Forest station the following central line tube stations are close to the Tour de France route:
- Loughton Tube Station (11 minutes from Epping Forest)
- Buckhurst Hill Tube Station (27 minutes from Epping Forest)
DELIVERIES
I operate a small business from home that relies on deliveries – will parcel services have access to the route?
There will be disruption to the postal service on the day and you are advised to arrange your deliveries to avoid 7 July.
PUBLIC ACCESS
Are the roads going to be closed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders?
The roads remain open for walkers but cyclists will have to dismount and walk. Cyclists and horse riders will not be able to use the closed roads until they re-open. They need to be off the route some time before event arrives for safety purposes.
Will any public rights of way close?
No.Ramblers will not be affected, but horse riders and cyclists should bear in mind that the roads will be closed, as mentioned above.
Are bikes allowed through road closures and are bikes allowed to cycle on the closed route in front of the race?
Riders on bikes are not allowed through road closures. No bike riding is permitted on the route for the period of the road closures.
SCHOOLS
How do I get my child to and from school?
Contact your school for advice on their plans for the day. Some schools may choose to close for the day.
PARKING
Will there be parking along the route?
Cars cannot park on the roads of the route, even if this is a normal place to park. If you need to move your car park it before the route closure begins. Local Districts, Borough and City councils are currently working on plans to provide park and walk information, car parkingand traffic management systems to make getting around Essex manageable for everyone.
My house is on the route of the race and I park outside my house on the public road. Will I still be able to do this on the event day?
No. This is viewed as a danger to the riders. Cars parked on roads on the race route will be moved away from the route on the day.
I am a farmer interested in running a temporary car park or campsite on the route. What should I do?
Contact your local District, Borough or City Council.
SPECTATORS
How many spectators are we expecting in Essex?
We are expecting significant crowds in Essex. Figures are likely to be in excess of the Torch Relay event in 2012.
What is there to see and do along the route?
The most popular places to watch the race from are the start and finish, towns and villages along the route. Go to the Visit Essex website for suggestions on what else there is to do and places to visit along and near the route.
Where are the best places to watch?
Details of viewing locations and facilities will be posted on the Essex County Council website once they are available.
Do I have to pay to watch the Tour anywhere along the route?
The Tour de France is the biggest free sporting event in the world. Along the public highway, visitors can stand and watch the Caravan and the race without purchasing a ticket of any kind. At the finish, there will be grandstands and VIP areasreserved for corporate sponsors and Tour officials. However, if you arrange and event to take place on private land, which overlooks the route, there is the option to sell admission or hospitality packages to your event.
HEALTH AND SAFETY / FACILITIES
What welfare facilities will be available on the route?
Details of toilets on the route will be available nearer the time. Limited toilet facilities on the route are being set up to support the event.
Will the event create a lot of rubbish?
We are working closely with Districts and the race organisers to minimise the effects of the race on our environment. The streets will be cleansed before the race and bins provided. We ask all spectators to do their bit by not dropping litter. Please either place this in the bins provided or take this home with you.
Will there be barriers across the entire route?
No. Barriers will only be used in areas where they are required for safety purposes.
What is the benefit to Essex of this event?
We expect significant Tourism benefits from this event as over 2 billion people worldwide see how beautiful Essex is! There will also be a significant economic benefit from visitor spend.
Are there any security issues around this event?
No. The Tour de France is a carnival like event. No significant security concerns are foreseen but the situation is being kept under constant review by Central Government and security services.
Can I use the M11 to see the start of the race and then travel down to the finish?
Traffic modelling undertaken shows that attempts to do this will not succeed. Our advice is not to attempt this.
SOCIAL CARE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
How will the carer access properties on the route on the day?
We are working closely with local authority social care organisations to ensure that contingency arrangements for care giving are put in place on the 7 July. Please contact your local provider for details.
Will meals on wheels still be delivered on the route?
We are working hard to identify groups that need access to properties on the route, such as meals on wheels, to ensure that contingency arrangements are put in place. Please contact your local provider for details.
I have a medical condition. Will ambulances be able to reach me?
Yes.
COMMUNITY
I would like to run an event on or near to the route. Who should I talk to?
In the first instance please speak to your local District, Borough or City Council.
How can I get more involved with this event?
Contact your local District, Borough or City Council.
Do you have figures or estimates on what the tour means for Essex in terms of jobs created and money generated for the county
Past research from 2007 suggests income arising from the Tour de France in Essex is likely to be over £10m. Previous major events experience indicates there is likely to be a positive impact on tourism and inward investment from visitors and spectators watching the race.
See County Council believes such a major sporting event is likely to deliver more interest, and jobs, in Essex.
What do I need to know if I want to organise a street party?
Please see our website for further information: Street parties | Essex County Council
Our preference is for any such closures to be processed by the city/borough/district under the Town and Police Clauses Act as this is the most appropriate and lowest cost (as opposed to the Highways Act where there is a cost of £1000).
We would however, want to be informed of any proposed closures (either by the applicant or via the borough/city/district) to ensure the proposed closure did not compromise any other routes.
BRANDING
Can I use the Tour de France logo or any other branding on products?
You cannot use Tour de France or logo (or elements of it) in marketing or merchandise without written permission from both the ASO and Welcome to Yorkshire.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Where can I get further information?
Visit the following websites for information:
If your question is not listed or answered above, please submit it here.
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