25 June 2012
Drivers using motorways and trunk roads in the Midlands are being advised to plan their journeys in advance as the Olympic Torch passes through the region. The Torch Relay will affect roads managed by the Highways Agency on the following dates, locations and expected times in July: 1 July From 11.10 to 11.17 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy travels along the A46 and then onto the A4184 towards Evesham. From 11.56 to 11.58 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy travels along A46 to the A44 (Broadway Road). From 15.24 to 15.29 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy travels along the A46 onto the A429 (Stratford Rd). From 17:22 to 17:25 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy travels over the A46 at Thickston Island. 2 July From 08:00 to 08.04 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy travels along the A46 from TGI Friday to Tollbar Island. At 08:04 to 08:12 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy is expected to travel on the A45 onto the A4071. At 09:51 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy joins the M45 at Dunchurch Island travelling east where it joins the M1 southbound carriageway until Junction 16 where it joins the A4500 At 11:11 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy will join the A45 (Nene Valley Way - East) from the A428 and exit ten minutes later onto the A509 (Wilby Way) continuing its journey on the local road network. At 12:03 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy will cross the A14 at Junction 9 on the A509. 3 July At 10:30 hours, Leicestershire County Council will close the A512 (Ashby Road) at Shells Nook Lane, diverting traffic to allow the torch relay free access and movement along Ashby Road. This road closure is half a mile from M1, Junction 23. At 16:43 hours, the Olympic Torch Convoy joins the A1 from the A43 and travels north for approximately one mile, leaving at the next exit before turning right onto the A6121 (Tinwell Road) moving onto the town of Stamford. Matthew Pates, Emergency Planning Manager for the Highways Agency Midlands region, said: "Road users who are planning to use routes in the Midlands affected by the Olympic Torch Relay can help us to help them by planning their journey in advance and leaving extra time, as our roads in the area are likely to be busy while the Torch is moving through. We will use our electronic message signs to give drivers information about any diversions and delays, and provide up-to-the minute information about traffic conditions on the motorways and other major roads we manage using local radio. People can use a range of Highways Agency mobile services to check the traffic conditions on these routes before they leave or when parked - they include an iPhone app, mobile website and regular updates on our Twitter feed at @HAtraffic_wmids from West Midlands region or @HAtraffic_emids for East Midlands region." Highways Agency Traffic Officers will be patrolling the motorways in the Midlands to clear any incidents quickly, while staff at Highways Agency's regional control centres will be monitoring the network via CCTV and using other state-of-the-art technology to keep traffic moving.
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