Tour of Britain to race through Ramsbottom on Sunday

Friday, 1 September 2023 13:20

By David Murphy

The 2023 Tour of Britain is returning to Ramsbottom and parts of Greater Manchester on Sunday 3 September when the area will host Stage 1 of the UK’s biggest and most prestigious professional cycle race.

The Tour last visited the area in September 2019 and for the first time back in 2004.

Stage 1 will feature a peloton of more than 150 elite cyclists taking on a 164-kilometre route which starts in Altrincham and finishes at Deansgate in Manchester city centre.

Cyclists are expected to enter Ramsbottom shortly after 2pm, after going through Edenfield from Rochdale. They will then:

Travel southwards along the A56 (Whalley Road)
Descend Peel Brow
Go through Ramsbottom town centre and along Bridge Street
Climb Rawson's Rake (for the King of the Mountain challenge)
Exit via Lumb Carr Road (fast descent)
Depart the borough via Hawkshaw towards Edgworth

Spectators are encouraged to line the route to cheer the cyclists on as they make their way through. People can watch the event from anywhere along the route, but key viewing points in Ramsbottom include:

Along Whalley Road, Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom town centre
Rawson's Rake, Holcombe Village
Junction at Pot Green/Hare and Hounds Public House
Hawkshaw Village

As a welcome to the cyclists, a steam train will sound its whistle as they approach the East Lancs Railway level crossing at Bridge Street and local businesses will be theming their window displays to mark the day.

At Bridge Street Gardens, a free Family Fun Day will also be taking place between 10am and 4pm, offering a variety of activities for all ages, learn to cycle sessions led by the National Cycling Academy, and bike repairs.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for adult care, health and wellbeing, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming the Tour and all the world-class cyclists back to Ramsbottom again this year.

“We experienced a fantastic turnout in 2019 and I’m sure that come Sunday residents and cycling enthusiasts from far and wide will once again want to show the riders their support.

“Let’s line the route to make the 2023 Tour of Britain a day to remember in Ramsbottom.”

To allow the Tour of Britain cycle race to take place safely, rolling road closures and parking restrictions will be put in place along the route. All road closures will be short-term, so there won’t be any traffic diversions. Access for emergency services will be prioritised should this be necessary.

Rolling road closures will start around 15 minutes ahead of the lead cyclist and last until all the riders and race cars have passed through.
To accommodate the King of the Mountain Challenge, full road closures will be in place from 1pm to 3pm at Carr Street, Tanners Street, Rawson’s Rake, The Rake and Chapel Lane.
Parking restrictions will be in place along the length of the route between 10am and 4pm.

Greater Manchester is the first of eight stages in the race. For local information visit www.bury.gov.uk/ToB2023 and follow @BuryCouncil. For full information about all eight stages visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk