The Council have detailed more plans for the torch relay taking place on 19th June.
The evening event at the Knavesmire – which is now all ticket – is scheduled to end at 7:30pm just 15 minutes before the Ukraine vs England Euro cup match kicks off.
As the excitement of the Olympic Torch in York draws closer, City of York Council is planning to keep expected and significant traffic disruption to a minimum and public safety a priority.
This is York’s moment to shine in the light of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the legendary Flame and be a part of the event. Everyone is invited to line the streets and cheer the inspirational Torchbearers who will carry the Flame through York – but allow plenty of time for the journey to the Torch Route or the Racecourse.
On 19 June, rolling road closures will be activated between 10-15 minutes ahead of the cycling escort which will leave York College at 5:15pm. Once the whole convoy has passed and pedestrians are off the road, it will be removed.
Road closures on Tadcaster Road in-bound lane and Blossom Street will be affected from 5.10-6pm. The cross town route of Rougier Street to Tower Street will be closed to through traffic between 5:45-6:30pm and the Shambles will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians between 5.45-6.30pm. From Skeldergate Bridge to York Racecourse roads will be closed between 6-15-7pm. The next morning, on 20 June, there will be rolling road closures from Bootham Bar to York station and the National Railway Museum between 7.30-8.30am.
On 19 June, a convoy of 200 cyclists co-ordinated by City of York Council will lead the whole cavalcade out of York College at 5:15pm and on to Micklegate Bar. The biking vanguard will pave the way for a small advance convoy of vehicles sponsored by Presenting Partners Coca Cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB, which will be helping to ramp up the party atmosphere and give out goodies to the waiting crowds. People are urged not to go onto the road and to prevent children from doing so, as the main convoy will be following on, having left York College at 5.23pm. This will be led by a Torchbearer and followed by some 15 vehicles and will travel along Tadcaster Road whose outbound lane will remain open to traffic,
At Micklegate Bar, the cyclists will turn back up Blossom Street and return to the Racecourse, while the convoy splits. The Torchbearer will mount the Bar Walls – which will be closed to the public – and the vehicular convoy will go along Queen Street and past the station to regroup with the Torchbearer at the junction of Station Rise and Rougier Street before it continues along George Hudson Street, left onto Bridge Street and left again at Spurriergate onto Coney Street.
At St Helen’s Square the convoy will split again: the Torchbearer going up Stonegate and the convoy via Blake Street and Low Petergate to rejoin at Minster Gates before splitting again at King’s Square. There, the runners will go down the Shambles and link with the convoy at Pavement. On via Coppergate and Clifford Street before moving into the ‘wrong’ lane to turn right over Skeldergate Bridge. The convoy then goes up Bishopthorpe Road, via Campleshon Rd and into York Racecourse to be the climax of the evening celebration. The Torch will transfer to a horse rider and be carried past the winning post and up to the stage to light the celebration cauldron at 6.50pm.
Foot street hours in the city centre will be extended from 11am to 7pm to accommodate the expected crowds and vehicles will be prevented from entering.
Accessible parking will be suspended in the city centre from 11am-7pm but will be free in all council car parks.
St George’s car and coach park will be closed all day on Tuesday 19 June and will reopen at 11am on Wednesday 20 June.
On 19 June for the sports taster session at York Racecourse from 2.30-5pm and the evening event from 5-7.30pm, free car parking will be available to all off Knavesmire Road, and on Bustardthorpe off Bishopthorpe Road, which should be accessed via Sim Balk Lane as per normal race day traffic.
Road users on both days are strongly advised to avoid these routes and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys, but listen out for traffic updates on local radio stations or on twitter at #YorkTorch. Timings could change subject to route alterations by LOCOG or due to local traffic conditions.
• Don’t forget to pick up FREE tickets for the afternoon and evening event at York Racecourse from:
Visit York’s Visitor Information Centre on the corner of Museum Street and Blake Street
• York Explore Library Learning Centre at Library Square
• Acomb Explore on Front Street, Acomb
• or Tang Hall Library on Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall.
They will be available from 2pm on Friday 8 June. Tickets will be limited to six tickets per applicant, all young people aged 14 years or under must be accompanied by an adult and admission will be by ticket only.