Following the success of the Official Start of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire, the historic streets of Beverley will again transform into a cycling circuit as some of the country’s top riders descend upon the East Riding on Friday, 8 July to take part in the hugely popular Elite Men’s Circuit Race, sponsored by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
organised by the Hull Thursday Road Club and EY Events, aims to build on the spectacular success of the past ten years and is now regarded as one of the most popular and eagerly-anticipated town centre circuit races on the British Cycling calendar.
The Beverley event has a first prize of £1,000 and a total prize fund of £5,000 and is round four of eight counting towards a national series held over six weeks.
Andy Cawley, race organiser, said:
“This is a wonderful example of voluntary groups, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Beverley Town Council, East Yorkshire Events, Humberside Police and numerous local sponsors working together to deliver a top-class sporting spectacle, that is free to watch.”
The weekend attracts thousands of spectators and brings financial opportunities for the local economy, with Friday’s main event covered by EuroSport TV.
Councillor Jane Evison, the council’s cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism, said:
“We are extremely pleased that Beverley will again host this popular cycle race, almost immediately after the excitement of the start in Beverley of the second Tour de Yorkshire. We are expecting very large crowds and I am delighted that this council has once again secured such a first-class national event in the East Riding.
“Major sporting events, such as the cycle race, are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike and provide a welcome boost to local businesses as well as showcasing the East Riding as the perfect tourist destination.”
Some of Beverley town centre will be closed to motorists from as early as 6am on Friday, 8 July.
Part of Saturday Market (between The Grapes Public House and Sow Hill) will be closed to all traffic between 6am-midnight, with the exception of delivery vehicle drivers who will be allowed access until 5pm. The remainder of Saturday Market, including the area between Carluccio’s and The Grapes Public House, will be closed to all traffic between 4pm-midnight, with the exception of taxi, disabled and delivery vehicle drivers who will be allowed access until 5pm.
Motorists are asked to use alternative car parks, such as George Street, Grayburn Lane, School Lane and Trinity Lane. This will also apply to disabled drivers who would otherwise park in Cross Street, Saturday Market and Sow Hill.
Wednesday Market will be closed between 4-11pm.
Sow Hill Road will be closed between 5pm-midnight.
Butcher Row, Cross Street, Lord Roberts Road, Old Waste, Railway Street, between New Walkergate and Lord Roberts Road, Toll Gavel and Walkergate (Old) will all close between 5-11pm.
Signed diversions, taking traffic around the town centre, will be in place between 5-11pm.
Car parks in Lord Roberts Road and Spencer Street will be closed between 5-11pm.
A temporary taxi rank, to replace those suspended in Ladygate, Saturday Market and Sow Hill, will be provided in the bus station in Sow Hill Road, from 5pm-midnight. The bus station will be closed to buses between 5pm-midnight.
Residents living on or next to the race route should be aware that vehicular access to their properties will be restricted between 5-11pm.
There will also be no on-street parking on any roads which are closed, including those covered by the controlled parking zone, namely Lord Roberts Road and Old Walkergate. A letter giving full information will be delivered to all the affected residents and businesses in the weeks before the event.
