RESIDENTS are urged to welcome and support an internationally acclaimed cycling event coming to Shaw and Crompton next month.
But householders are also warned of potential parking restrictions and road closures when the OVO Tour of Britain heads to Oldham on Saturday, September 14.
This prestigious sporting event is watched by millions of people across the country each year and will help inspire the next generation of young sports people.
Oldham Council has now sent out letters to householders affected by parking restrictions between 10pm on Friday, September 13 and 2pm on Saturday, September 14.
During the event, the safety of riders, their support teams, residents and spectators will be of paramount importance.
The peloton is expected to reach Saddleworth at around 12.30pm and will take about half an hour to pass through the borough.
A rolling road block will be in place during the race and certain sections of the route will need to be free of both driven and parked vehicles.
At these locations, yellow “no waiting at any time” cones will be deployed the night before the event.
Vehicles that are still parked on the route prior to the race may be removed on instruction by the police and the owner will be liable for any recovery costs.
The roads affected in Shaw and Crompton are:
• Buckstones Road B6197, Shaw – both sides from a point 100 metres east of its junction with Grains Road Shaw to a point 100 metres east of its junction with Cliff Hill Road.
• At the south side from a point 100 metres east of and opposite its junction with Cliff Hill Road to its junction with George Street. At the north side from a point 60 metres east of its junction with Dingle Avenue to its junction with Milnrow Road A663
• Rochdale Road B6194, Shaw – both sides from its junction with Rushcroft Road to its junction with Mossgate Road
• Rochdale Road B6194, Shaw – Southwest side From a point opposite its junction with Mossgate Road for a distance of 130 metres in a northwesterly direction
Anyone affected by these road closures, will need to find alternative parking the evening before the race.
On the day there will be two community events happening, one at George Street park and one at High Crompton park.
For more details, please email rscdistrictteam@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 1680.
And to get yourself race ready Oldham Community Leisure is offering a free one day pass at any Oldham Active Leisure Centre any day before the race.
Visit www.oclactive.co.uk to book your pass which includes use of the newly refurbished Saddleworth gym in Uppermill.
The day pass must be used by September 14, limited to one day per person, for more information and T&Cs visit the website.
Visit the website www.tourofbritain.co.uk for spectator and race information and follow www.facebook.com/iloveoldham for local events, prizes, route maps and much more.
Also check out the map online for full race route information and race details.
The beauty of this event is that you can watch from anywhere along the route.
You might choose to watch it from your front window or front garden or simply from the roadside outside your home.
You could gather in and around the town or village centres and make a day of it with friends or you could scope out the best location to get a view.
However, for all key local information, visit www.facebook.com/iloveoldham.
The council will be launching a special event page and promoting a tonne of content from videos and maps to information on local events, times and highways updates.