BedfordBID is delighted to be supporting the country’s first ever international stage race of the 2014 Women’s Tour.  The world’s best cyclists will race through the streets of Bedford on Thursday 8th May when the Women’s Tour comes to the borough.

(pictured right: Helen Wyman, European Cyclo-Cross Champion)

The tour passing through the High Street on to the Embankment is a fabulous opportunity to show the town centre at its best - BedfordBID will be dressing the vacant Porter Blacks unit, and the hoarding of the empty Charles King premises to improve the look of the route. 

Posters have been delivered by BedfordBID to High Street businesses for any special offers they would like to offer to crowds cheering on the race, and loads of cycling related activity is taking place on St Pauls Square. There should be lots of families around taking in the spectacle, so don't forget to come out and enjoy the atmosphere!

Road closures will take place along the route which travels down De Parys Avenue to the High Street, finishing along the Embankment.

Click here to see a map of the route and road closure timings.

Below are more details on road closures and re-opening times.  Please note that re-opening times are best estimates only -  the Council will be doing all they can to re-open roads as early as possible but we will be governed on the day by the speed of the race. 

5am: Closure of the Embankment from the junction of the High Street to Bushmead Avenue.  Newnham Road Closed from its junction of the Embankment to St Cuthbert’s roundabout. Albany & Rothsay roads to be closed from their junctions of the Embankment to Waterloo Road.

11am: Closure of the High Street from its junction with St Peter’s / Dame Alice to the junction with the Embankment. Mill Street will be closed from St Cuthbert’s roundabout to the junction of the High Street. Duke & Gadsby Street to be closed as part of this closure. St Pauls North to be closed at the junction of Horne Lane and at the traffic lights approaching St Pauls North / Horne Lane. Traffic will still be able to access Horne lane via town Bridge only.

11.15am: Local Cycle Race to start. Route is Wilkinsons / High Street / Embankment / Newnham Road / Mill Street / High Street. 16 laps (40 minutes) and finish along the Embankment under finish gantry.

1pm: Route from De Parys onwards to be sterile ready for Tour arrival

2pm: Approximate anticipated arrival of Tour

3pm: Anticipated time St Pauls North & Embankment to Newnham Road will be reopened to traffic

4pm: Anticipated time the High Street / Mill Street junctions to reopen to traffic

7pm: Anticipated time the Embankment from Newnham to Bushmead Ave to reopen to traffic.