Tour of Britain’s Derbyshire guide to the top spots, stars and affected roads

The Tour of Britain cycle road race returns to Derbyshire today, Friday, September 11, and below is a guide to the top viewing spots, times, road closures and the stars.
Tour of Britain.Tour of Britain.
Tour of Britain.

Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park will serve as a fabulous backdrop for this year’s Aviva Tour of Britain cycling spectacular.

Spectators from around the world will be descending on the region to see an array of international stars take on some of the county’s toughest climbs and roads.

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The 1,443.4km, eight-day, stage race started on Sunday, September 6, in Beaumaris, Wales, and will hit the Peak District and Derbyshire during the 192.8km Stage 6 from Stoke-on-Trent to Nottingham on Friday, September 11. Riders will complete the tour on Stage 8 around London, on Sunday, September 13.

TOP DERBYSHIRE SPOTS AND TIMES

The 192.8km Stage 6 starts about 10.30am, and is expected to pass through the following places at the approximate times: Buxton, 11.35am; Whaley Bridge, 11.49am; Sparrowpit, near Castleton, 12.08pm; Castleton, 12.16pm; Hope, 12.19pm; Bamford, 12.25pm; Hathersage, 12.28pm; Grindleford, 12.38pm; Stoney Middleton, 12.45pm; Wardlow, 12.52pm; Ashford, 1pm; Bakewell, 1.02pm; Pilsley, 1.09pm; Beeley, 1.15pm; Derbyshire Dales, 1.24pm; Cromford Hill, 1.37pm; Middleton, 1.40pm; Belper, 2.11pm; and Ilkeston, 2.30pm, before Nottingham about 2.52pm.

Spectators are advised to allow over an hour before arriving at their chosen viewing locations.

AFFECTED AREAS AND ROADS

Spectators to the Aviva Tour of Britain road race are advised to get to their viewing spot early and park responsibly.

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The race weaves its way through Derbyshire via Buxton, Whaley Bridge, Chinley, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Hope Valley, Grindleford, Stoney Middleton, Wardlow, Bakewell, Chatsworth, Beeley Moor, Matlock, Cromford, Carsington Reservoir, Belper and Ilkeston, on Friday, September 11.

Riders are expected to be in the county between around 11am and 3.40pm before heading to a finish in Nottingham.

Rolling road closures will be in place in advance of the race and motorists are asked to avoid parking on the race route during these approximate times:

High Peak area 10am to 1.30pm

Derbyshire Dales area 11am to 2.45pm

Amber Valley area 12.45pm to 3.30pm

Erewash area 1.15pm to 3.45pm

Businesses are advised not to arrange large deliveries in the lead up to the race.

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Highways officials are also warning road users there will inevitably be some delays on the race route between late morning and mid-afternoon and while the roads are cleared post-race. These could be between 20 and 40 minutes depending on how busy the roads are.

No parking notices will make it clear where vehicles should not be parked. The police will be able to move cars that are inappropriately parked.

In some areas parking will be limited and spectators are urged to walk, cycle or take the bus, if possible.

Timings and the race route showing affected roads can be viewed at www.tourofbritain.co.uk

Buxton

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The riders are expected to be in Buxton at some time between 11.15am to 12pm. The roads on the route, the A53, the B5059 Macclesfield Road, the A515 High Street, Terrace Road, The Crescent, Water Street, part of St John’s Road and then A5004 Manchester Road may be closed for around 20 minutes during this time, so visitors are advised to make sure they are in the town by 10am in plenty of time to get a good viewing point.

There is an intermediate sprint finish which ends on Buxton High Street outside the Eagle. Expect this area to be busy – barriers and equipment will be set up during the morning.

Throughout Buxton and the High Peak there will be plenty of activities taking place on the day of the Tour. Many schools along the route are organising fun days and events for their students.

Pavilion Gardens and Buxton Leisure Centre will be hosting events and Buxton’s businesses are being encouraged to make it a day to remember.

Bakewell

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Bakewell is expected to be busy as the riders arrive at some time between 12.50pm and 1.40pm. They arrive in the town on the A6 from Ashford-in-the-Water and turn left on to the A619, Rutland Square and then on to Chatsworth. These roads may be closed for around 30 minutes during this time, so visitors are advised to make sure they are in Bakewell by 11.45am.

Chatsworth

The riders are expected to arrive on the Chatsworth estate at some time between 1.05pm and 1.55pm. They arrive in the estate from Pilsley and then follow the B6012 through the estate towards the Chatsworth Garden Centre and Beeley. The roads may be closed for around 30 minutes during this time, so visitors are advised to make sure they get to Chatsworth by 12pm.

Matlock

Big crowds are expected to see the peloton arrive in the town. The riders are expected to be in Matlock at some time between 1.20pm and 2.15pm. They arrive from Farley Hill, Hurds Hollow, Dimple Road and the A615 into the town centre. They then travel towards Matlock Green, and turn right onto Church Street and follow the hill through Starkholmes. These roads may be closed for around 30 minutes during this time, visitors are advised to make sure they are in Matlock by 12.15pm to find a good viewing point.

There’ll be lots to see and do at a cycling festival in Hall Leys Park. The event is being organised by Derbyshire Dales District Council and several other organisations including Matlock Cycling Club. There’ll be lots of cycling activities to take part in and local schools have been invited.

Cromford

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The riders are expected to be in Cromford at some time between 1.30pm and 2.20pm. They arrive in the village from Starkholmes, past Cromford Mill, then they cross the A6 and head up Cromford Hill turning right along Porter Lane towards the Rising Sun Pub and Middleton Top. These roads may be closed for around 30 minutes during this time. Visitors are advised to make sure they get into Cromford by 12.15pm, particularly if they want to walk up Cromford Hill to see the King of the Mountain section. Car parking is available on Cromford Meadows and in the Mill car parks.

Carsington Reservoir

The peloton is expected to arrive at Carsington at some time between 1.45pm and 2.35pm. They arrive on the B5035 from Middleton Top and then turn left at the Knockerdown towards the reservoir. The riders then follow the road next to the dam wall and then head towards Hulland Ward. The roads may be closed for around 30 minutes during this time. Visitors are advised to make sure they get to Carsington Reservoir by 12.30pm if you want to find a good viewing point.

Belper

Belper is expected to be busy as an intermediate sprint section ends in the town. The riders are expected to be in Belper at some time between 2.10pm and 3pm. They arrive in the town from Shottlegate and Blackbrook along the A517. They then turn right by Belper Mill onto the A6 and then head towards Flying Geese roundabout where they turn left and climb up the A609 New Road towards the Market Place, and then on to Openwoodgate, past Belper School. These roads may be closed for around 30 minutes during this time, so visitors are advised to be in Belper by 1.15pm.

Ilkeston

The riders are expected to be in West Hallam, Kirk Hallam and Ilkeston at some time between 2.25pm and 3.30pm. They arrive from West Hallam along the A609 then through Kirk Hallam where there is an intermediate sprint. The race then follows Derby Road to White Lion Square and then follows Nottingham Road onwards to the race finish in Nottingham. These roads may be closed for around 40 minutes during this time. Visitors are advised to make sure they are in the area by 1.15pm.

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Ilkeston and Kirk Hallam are expected to be popular with spectators as there is an intermediate sprint section that ends on Derby Road near Kirk Hallam Community Technology College. This area is expected to be busy. Barriers and equipment will be set up during the late morning or early afternoon.

THE STARS TO LOOK OUT FOR

The stars taking part in the Tour of Britain and riding through our patch on Friday, September 11, include former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins (191), of Team Wiggins, the Manx Missile Mark Cavendish (11), of Etixx Quick-Step, and defending Tour of Britain champion Dylan Van Barle (1), of Team Cannondale Garmin.

Other big names include Movistar’ Alex Dowsett (101), of Great Britain, and sprinting powerhouse Andre Greipel (71), of Lotto Soudal.

The race features 20 cycling teams including Team Sky, Etixx Quick Step and Team Cannondale Garmin as well as other Grand Tour teams including BMC Racing, IAM Cycling, Movistar, Tinkoff-Saxo and MTN Qhubeka.

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Team Wiggins will also take part alongside the Great Britain Cycling Team.

British riders to look out for include Sheffield’s Russ Downing (51), of Cult Energy Pro, and Rotherham’s Ben Swift (21) and Ian Stannard (24) of Sky, Doncaster’s Graham Briggs (122), Ed Clancy (123) and Kristian House (121), of JLT Condor.