Olympic flame to light up Cheshire East

 

Click the map for a full screen pic

In just over two months’ time the Olympic flame will be blazing a trail through Cheshire East and the exact route of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay can now be revealed.

On the morning of May 31, the streets of Crewe, Congleton, Macclesfield and Knutsford will be thronged with people as the Olympic flame passes through the Borough and excitement builds ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

People will get the best opportunity to see the flame as it is carried through these towns by the local torchbearers. The details of those who have been selected as torchbearers will be released at a later date.

The flame will be transported between the towns in the torch convoy – made up of several vehicles – but the flame will not be visible.

The route has been published two months in advance to give local communities time to plan activities and celebrations around the relay.

The specific routes and timings are:

Crewe: 8am-8.30am

At approximately 8am the torch convoy will change into torchbearer mode from the junction of Hungerford Road with Coleridge Way. The torch will then travel along Hungerford Road into Earle Street and past the Municipal Buildings, turning left into the Market Street pedestrian area. From here it will continue onto Edleston Road, and then turn left onto Nantwich Road and past Crewe railway station. It will then travel past the roundabout onto Crewe Road past MMU Cheshire, and then revert into torch convoy mode at Springfield School at approximately 8.30am.

Congleton: 8.45am-9.25am

At approximately 8.45am the torchbearer will pick up the flame on Sandbach Road at the junction with Padgbury Lane, by Congleton High School. The torch will then travel along Sandbach Road into West Road and onto the Clayton Bypass, past Tesco and up Rood Hill. From here it will turn right, then left, around the ambulance station and onto Macclesfield Road where it will revert into torch convoy mode by Eaton Bank High School, at approximately 9.25am.

Macclesfield: 9.35am-10.10am

At approximately 9.35am the torch relay will start on Congleton Road by the 30mph signs near the junction with Moss Lane, then past the Flowerpot pub and onto Oxford Road. After passing All Hallows Catholic College, the torch will turn left onto Chester Road and pass the Broken Cross roundabout until the 40mph signs, where it will revert to torch convoy mode at roughly 10.10am.

Knutsford: 10.25am-10.50am

At approximately 10.25am the torchbearer will pick up the flame at the junction of Chelford Road with Parkfield Road, then head along Chelford Road onto Adam’s Hill, turning right onto Toft Road at the traffic lights. From here it will pass the court buildings and civic centre, then over the roundabout and onto Manchester Road, until the 60mph signs where it will revert into torch convoy mode at around 10.50am.

A project of this size and importance will inevitably mean there will be some road closures. These will be publicised well in advance and disruption will be kept to a minimum.

Staff from Cheshire East Council have already been meeting with businesses that could be affected by the torch relay.

Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “I am sure that people will be out in force to welcome the Olympic flame to Cheshire East and cheer on the inspirational torchbearers.

“We are fortunate that it will be passing through four of our major towns, offering people from across the Borough the opportunity to come out and see the flame for themselves.”

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, added: “Today we bring the Olympic torch relay to life. The flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the games to our streets.

“Now the people know the route the Olympic flame will be carried along they can start planning how they might  celebrate and make it Cheshire East’s moment to shine.”

For anyone who wants to get more involved in the Olympic torch relay, Cheshire East Council is looking to recruit 300 volunteer stewards to help on May 31 to manage this once in a lifetime event in their local community.

Anyone over 16 can apply and full training will be given. To register your interest email volunteers@cheshireeast.gov.uk

For more information on the Olympics and how you can get involved in Cheshire East go to www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/2012