Tour de France in Littleborough - race details

This July three stages of the Tour de France will be staged in England for the first time since 2007. It will be the largest sporting spectacle to take place in the UK this year.

On Sunday 6 July around a kilometre of the route will pass into Littleborough at approximately 1.00pm – along a section of B6138 and the A58 adjacent to Blackstone Edge reservoir.

The route includes a sharp bend which will slow the tour down and maximise viewing opportunities.

Littleborough is the only place in Greater Manchester to host part of the race – so don’t miss this major sporting event on your doorstep.

It is the largest free sporting event in the world – no one needs a ticket. A spectacle of entertainment and a sporting occasion for all the family to enjoy and remember forever.

Where can I watch the race?

​The Tour de France is a free event so members of the public can view along the entire length of the route.

The section in Littleborough is the final stretch of the incline from Cragg Vale along the B6138 up to the point at which it joins the A58 and a stretch of this road up to the Calderdale boundary. Although only 1km, it is one of the most interesting sections of the route and is the culmination of the longest continuous climb in England. It passes Blackstone Edge reservoir before a sharp turn onto the A58.

As well as being the steepest climb, our part of the stage is amongst some of the most breath-taking countryside in the Pennines.

It is of vital importance to the delivery of the event that everyone has the opportunity to take part, and plans are being developed for additional spectator viewing on a big screen in Harehill Park, Littleborough for those spectators who are unable to travel up to the route itself. Here you will be able to enjoy watching the race as well as enjoying other family entertainment in the park. 

A series of events are being planned in and around Littleborough, building up to the big day - the weekend before, the day itself, and the weekend following the Tour de France.

These include a Triathlon Challenge, a two day Littleborough Festival, Farmers Market, numerous cycling inspired events including a Tour of Rochdale, a School Sports Challenge and the annual Rush Bearing Festival. Link4Life’s popular ‘Big Games’ events will also return with a cycling theme.

Co-operation on wheels exhibition
10 May 2014 – 13 September 2014
Rochdale Pioneers Museum, Toad Lane, Rochdale
A cycling themed art installation on the fence outside the museum developed by local young people in conjunction with artist Richard Dawson.

Tour de France - frequently asked questions

What time is the race coming to Littleborough?

The caravan will arrive at 10.30am and the race is scheduled to arrive at 1pm. You are advised to be in your chosen viewing position by mid-morning.

What is the Caravan?

The Caravan is a terrific spectacle and a great family attraction. A procession of 180 elaborate floats and vehicles precedes the racing action. The caravan sets off two hours before the start of the race and takes 40 minutes to pass. Publicity material including caps, badges and bags are thrown to the crowds as the caravan passes by as a great way to catch yourself a souvenir of Le Tour.

Why is the Tour de France coming to Littleborough?

It is quite normal for the Tour de France to dip into neighbouring countries. In fact, the 2013 edition – the 100th event – is unusual in that it stayed completely in France. The last time the Tour came to Britain was in 2007 when there was a prologue in London, followed by Stage 1 down to Canterbury.

How long will roads be closed?

​The route and roads close by will be closed for a minimum period of eight hours to allow for preparation of the race route, the handover to the Tour de France organisers, access for the publicity caravan, the race itself, the removal of race infrastructure, and the safe dispersal of spectators.

This will mean that the affected roads will be closed to any form of public vehicle. It is anticipated that road closures will be in place from very early on the Sunday morning through to early evening. 

How can I plan ahead?

• ​Make yourself and family members aware of road closures and changes to public transport.
• Allow additional time to get to the airport if you are flying, or to any location on Sunday morning.
• Do the weekly shop or any other activity requiring use of a vehicle on a different day or a different time.
• If you are planning any type of event, inform visitors and guests about road closures and encouraging them to arrive early.

Will there be a clean up afterwards?

​Yes there will be a full clean and clear up operation.

I’ve been inspired and would like to cycle more often, where can I find out further information?

​Cycling is a great way to get around the borough and we have some fantastic routes. There are many cycling maps and routes available. You’ll also find lots of information on the British Cycling and Sustrans website.

Road closures

Please be aware that you won’t be able to travel to different spots along the route – it will be congested and roads will be closed. 

Walking/cycling
Walking and cycling routes from Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough Rail Station and along the Rochdale Canal will be signposted.

Bus
There will be additional buses from Rochdale Transport Interchange to Littleborough from 7am on 6 July. Visit www.tfgm.com for the timetable.

From 8am free shuttle buses will be operating from Littleborough train station, taking passengers to the White House pub. From there it is a short 10 minute walk to the route the Tour de France will take.

Metrolink
Metrolink will be adding extra carriages to its Rochdale services from 7am, with passengers advised to travel to Rochdale Town Centre (Transport Interchange) and then take a direct bus to Littleborough. For those who want a longer walk, you can depart at Milnrow, Newhey or Kingsway. Visit www.tfgm.com for the timetable.

Train

Northern Rail will be adding extra capacity to trains in the area, there will be a more frequent service running from Manchester to Littleborough via Rochdale, and free shuttle buses from Littleborough train station to the White House pub, a short 10 minute walk from the race. Visit www.tfgm.com for the timetable.

Car parking
Car parking in Littleborough will be extremely limited, so drivers are advised to park in Rochdale town centre car parks and take the bus to Littleborough.

Hollingworth Lake car park (590 spaces) will be open.

Parking will be prohibited in locations where it is considered dangerous and likely to cause obstruction. These locations will be coned out and it will be an offence to park there. Temporary waiting restrictions will be in place up to 48 hours in advance of the race on certain roads.

Park and cycle

You can also park on Kingsway Business Park and cycle to the race along the scenic canal towpath. The distance from Kingsway is approximately 5 miles.

Free parking permits available
The closed section of Halifax Road between Blackstone Edge Old Road and the White House pub will be made available for parking but by permit holders only, with priority given to Blue Badge holders. You can apply for one of the permits free of charge on a first come first served basis by emailing your name, address and badge number (where applicable) to traffic@rochdale.gov.uk and placing ‘Tour Parking Permit’ in the subject box. These permits will have strict conditions applied to them as we need to secure emergency access to the event at all times and be in a position to safely reopen the A58 as soon as possible after the event.

Toilets
Temporary public toilets will be signposted and be situated close by the race location, and on the Co-op Foodstore Car Park next to Littleborough Railway Station, and at the Rake, Moorcock and White House Public Houses.

Food and drink
Racegoers are able to bring their own food and drink, although it will also be available for sale. Food and drink will be available from local businesses in Littleborough town centre and also the public houses on the route up to the race site. Alternatively why not being a picnic!

Road closures
From midnight on 3 July stopping will not be permitted on the A58 Halifax Road from its easterly junction with Blackstone Edge Old Road to the borough boundary including Turvin Road. Both sections of road will be closed completely from 6:30 am on the race day.

The A58 Halifax Road up to Turvin Road will be closed completely from its junction with Blackstone Edge Old Road from 6:30am on Sunday 6 July. The remainder of Halifax Road and the B6225 Hollingworth Road will close mid-morning. All other roads in Rochdale will remain open to traffic, however they will likely become more congested the closer you travel to the race time.

At 6:30 am on Sunday 6 July Turvin Road( B6138) and the A58 Halifax Road from its junction with Blackstone Edge Old Road will be closed to all traffic. Travel between Rochdale and Ripponden / Halifax via the White House will not be available, nor will you be able to travel through Hebden Bridge as this also forms part of the race route.

There will be no entry at the westerly junction of Blackstone Edge Old Road (The Rake) from 6:30am on the race day creating a circulatory route clockwise via Halifax Road and into Blackstone Edge Old Road to exit back onto Halifax Road at The Rake.

In Calderdale the A646 between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge will be closed early morning on 6 July.

The A6033 Todmorden Road will remain open to Todmorden at all times.

All other roads in the Lancashire area such as the A646 Todmorden to Burnley road will remain open.

Parking restrictions
Parking restrictions will be introduced along Halifax Road, Blackstone Edge Old Road, Canal Street and Hollingworth Road from midnight on 5 July. These will be introduced at locations where it is considered dangerous to park or likely to cause congestion.

Once all available on street parking is taken and to prevent congestion, the remainder of Halifax Road, Hollingworth Road and Church Street under the railway viaduct will be closed. This closure is likely to commence from 8am.

It is essential that access is maintained along the A58 from Rochdale town centre to the race location for emergency services. Any vehicle that obstructs the passage of others will be removed.

Residents and local businesses will still be able to access closed roads and the council will be contacting those affected in writing to advise them.

Where can I watch the race?

​The Tour de France is a free event so members of the public can view along the entire length of the route.
The section in Littleborough is the final stretch of the incline from Cragg Vale along the B6138 up to the point at which it joins the A58 and a short stretch of this road up to the Calderdale boundary. Although only 1 km, this stretch is one of the most interesting sections of the route and will attract many visitors the culmination of the longest continuous climb in England, and passes Blackstone Edge reservoir before a sharp turn onto the A58. It is one of the most interesting sections of the route and will therefore be popular as a place from which to view the race.

What else can I do?

There’s lots to see and do - visit the events section of Rochdale Online:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events

What is the Tour de France?

The Tour de France is the third largest sporting event in the world, established in 1903. Set over three weeks and covering 3,500 km, teams compete for the yellow jersey in July each year. Twelve million spectators of all ages line the route to watch the famed publicity caravan and to support the cyclists. 2,000 journalists and photographers cover the Tour de France and it is broadcast to 190 countries by 85 TV channels ensuring a worldwide audience of three billion.

Other than Littleborough, where else will the Tour de France visit in the UK in 2014?

Sunday 6 July: Stage 2 will start in York at 11.00am and finish in Sheffield between 4.15pm - 4.45pm. Along the way it will pass through Knaresborough, Harrogate, Blubberhouses, Keighley, Haworth, Hebden Bridge, Elland, Huddersfield and Holmfirth.
Monday 7 July: Stage 3 will start in Cambridge and finish in London.

How many teams compete?

Twenty-two teams participate in the race, and each team is made up of nine cyclists, meaning 198 riders (unless any pull out prior to the start). Rules mandate that each team member be dressed identically: the same team shorts, jersey, socks, shoes and gloves - the only exception being the leader jerseys.

What is the Yellow Jersey?

Most people know that the overall leader – that is, the rider with the lowest cumulative time, wears the yellow jersey. But there are other competitive classifications. The leader in points wears a green jersey. The 'King of the Mountains' wears a white jersey with red polka dots determined by a point system based on performance on mountain climbs. The rider under age 26 who has the lowest cumulative time wears a white jersey.

There are two other 'minor' competitive classification that don’t get you a jersey, but a different coloured number to pin to your jersey. First is the most combative rider of the day; the following day, he wears a number printed white on red, instead of the usual black on white. Also the team classification goes to the team with the lowest cumulative time among their three best riders. The next days, that team would wear numbers printed black on yellow.

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