DRIVERS are facing road closures and lengthy delays today as a huge cycling race kicks off across several UK cities.
A number of busy routes will be shut down well into the afternoon, with bus services affected, as the event returns after almost 20 years away.
The Tour of Britain is one of the world’s most popular professional road cycling races, outshone only by the legendary Tour de France.
The gruelling annual contest sees teams battle over a 586-mile course spanning the length and breadth of Great Britain.
Starting today, it will kick off in Scotland with a 189-mile ride through the borders.
Over the coming days, it will then progress down through the North East and into the Midlands before finishing in Felixstowe, Suffolk in five days time.
The third stage, scheduled for September 5, will be particularly special for the people of South Yorkshire, as the tour returns to Sheffield for the first time since 2006.
However, motorists will see disruption throughout the week as the riders pass through some major population hubs.
For example, in Sheffield, a large section of the city centre around Arundel Gate is set to close from 4am to just after 3pm on Thursday.
This is to give organisers time to set up and dismantle the course safely on either side of the racing.
There will also be a rolling road closure throughout the host cities and surrounding areas as the riders go along in order to ensure their safety and that of spectators.
Routes are expected to be shut for up to 30 minutes at a time, enforced by a police escort.
Affected roads will be marked with yellow warning signs in the days before the race and there will be a parking ban in force between 10am and 2pm on the day itself.
The closures will also affect local bus services, with more details of the impact in your area on local council websites.
Affected areas include Darlington, Sheffield, Derby, Northampton and Redcar, among others.
You can find out if the route will go through your area on the British Cycling website and get a full breakdown of relevant road closures from your local authority.
It comes after thousands of Brits were slapped with a driving ban which could result in daily fines of up to £50.
