2014 Tour de France coming to Rochdale

The Tour de France will pass through the borough in 2014. Around a kilometre of the route will pass into Rochdale – along a section of B6138 and the A58 adjacent to Chelburn reservoir. The route includes a sharp bend which will slow the tour down and maximise viewing opportunities.

The first details of the stages for the Yorkshire Grand Depart were announced at a press conference in Paris last week, and stage two, on 6 July, will take the race from York to Sheffield, via Cragg Vale.

Stage One takes the race from Leeds to Harrogate via the Yorkshire Dales, with Stage Three running from Cambridge to London, with a finish on The Mall.

The UK route of the 2014 Tour de France:

Stage one: Leeds - Harewood - Otley - Ilkley - Skipton - Kettlewell - Aysgarth - Hawes - Reeth - Leyburn - Ripon – Harrogate.

Stage two: York - Knaresborough - Silsden - Keighley - Haworth – Hebden Bridge - Cragg Vale - Elland - Huddersfield - Holmfirth – Sheffield.

Stage three: Cambridge - Epping Forest - the Olympic Park - the Mall.

Council officers have been in contact with colleagues at Calderdale Council and a Rochdale site visit held before Christmas confirmed the road surface is in good condition.

Rochdale’s stage of the race is expected to attract up to 6,000 spectators. 

The short section within Rochdale is the only part of the first two days of the tour not in Yorkshire.

Peter Rowlinson, Director of Planning and Regulation, said the council would work with Link4Life and other partners to maximise the positive impacts of the Tour de France:

“We have some exciting options to explore in terms of the visitor offer, corporate hospitality and maximising stays in our local accommodation. Events like these continue to help raise the profile of cycling, not only as a sport, but for recreation and transport which is welcome news.”

The Tour De France, won in 2012 by Olympic star Sir Bradley Wiggins, last visited the UK in 2007 when London hosted the time trial and opening stage.