Route and timings of the torch relay
BUSINESSES in North East Lincolnshire are being urged to consider the impact the Olympic torch relay may have on their business when it travels through the borough on Tuesday, June 26 and Wednesday, June 27.
The Torch Relay continues to attract a lot of attention as it makes its journey around the UK and North East Lincolnshire Council is expecting the same level of support when it passes through Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
Signs have now been placed along the torch relay route through North East Lincolnshire and business owners are being asked to familiarise themselves with the timings of the relay as it may affect both staff and customers accessing commercial premises.
Councillor Mick Burnett, portfolio holder for tourism and culture, said: “We apologise for any disruption but this is a once in a life time opportunity and we hope that the community, businesses and visitors to the area will enjoy being part of this fantastic event.
“We urge businesses to plan ahead and do what they can to keep their staff informed and any delivery companies who may be accessing their premises when the torch is in our area.”
The torch relay route and timing details are detailed on the council’s website at www.nelincs.gov.uk/2012andbeyond. A summary of the route is detailed below:
The torch relay will travel through Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes on Tuesday, June 26, arriving in Immingham at 4.40pm. The flame is carried through Immingham before it travels by convoy to Grimsby. Torchbearers continue to carry the flame at Riby Square at approximately 5.40pm. It then travels through the town making its way to Cleethorpes along the promenade and ends it travels at the evening celebration event in Meridian Park Showground, entering the venue at 6.40pm.
On Wednesday, June 27, the torch will begin the day at Grimsby Dock Tower at 6.10am. It will then be carried through Grimsby and when its reaches Braeton Lane junction off Louth Road at approximately 7.25am, torchbearers will stop carrying the flame and the convoy of vehicles will make their way to Louth along Louth Road and Grimsby Road to continue the relay.
The evening celebration event at Meridian Park Showground, Cleethorpes on Tuesday, June 26, will also attract a lot of traffic through the borough. 8,000 tickets have been made available for this event. Doors open at 4pm with the event expecting to conclude at 8.30pm.
Public transport will be operating as normal but bus routes will be disrupted at the time of the relay. There are no fixed times for road closures during the torch relay but there will be a rolling road closure during the passage of the convoy - approximately 15 minutes before the convoy reaches a given location.
Road users should be aware that the Olympic torch convoy will be moving at approximately 4 mph. It will be policed by motorcycle outriders who will be controlling traffic around the Olympic Flame to ensure that it progresses smoothly and on time. It is anticipated that the full convoy will take approximately fifteen minutes to fully pass but traffic in its wake will be moving slowly. Traffic moving in the opposite direction is also likely to be affected by the torch relay.
Businesses should also be extremely careful of making any claims or associations with the London 2012 Olympics. The Olympic brand is very well protected in law. If businesses are thinking of using the Olympics to grow interest in their products or services, care should be taken to make sure that they will not be risking action from the organisers (The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) or other enforcement agencies.
North East Lincolnshire Council will be keeping spectators and businesses informed of the torch’s progress on Twitter in the build up to the event and during the two days. Follow us @NELCSportsArts or search for updates by using the hashtag #NELtorchrelay