Essex Highways urges drivers to be 'patient' with rolling road closures as Tour of Britain arrives in Maldon District

By Ben Shahrabi 5th Sep 2023

Local News by Ben Shahrabi 5th Sep 2023

Stage Six of the 2023 Tour of Britain cycling event will pass through the Maldon District this Friday (September 8), resulting in rolling road closures.

The short-term roadblocks will be in place along the cyclists' route through the county. Participants will start in Southend and finish in Harlow, a distance of 146 kilometres.

In a statement, an Essex Highways spokesperson encouraged road users to "please be patient and plan your journey".

The route will take riders from South Woodham Ferrers to Althorne, past Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham, before turning left into Southminster and then reaching Asheldham. Participants will then carry on to Tillingham and the outskirts of Bradwell-on-Sea, before turning left through Steeple, Mayland and Latchingdon.

From there, they will right into Fambridge Road, past the Round Bush pub, turn left towards Purleigh, left again at Hazeleigh, then head into Bicknacre on their onward journey to Harlow.

Timings are approximate, but the Tour is expected to reach South Woodham Ferrers at 12.49pm, Burnham at 1.12pm, Southminster at 1.17pm and pass West Hanningfield around 14:23.

Spectators will get the opportunity to watch the 120 professional riders, including World Champions, Tour de France winners and Olympians.

View an interactive map of the Tour of Britain route here:

In May, RideLondon returned to the Maldon District and meant major road closures were in place. Although it provided a tourism boost for the town, some local business owners lost trade because of the event.

Last year, Essex County Council announced it would receive £1 million in funding following the 2022 event.

At the time, Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: "This funding from The London Marathon Charitable Trust will lead to healthier communities and supports our plans to make walking and cycling more accessible to Essex residents."

However, local council officials do not know whether or how the funding has benefited the Maldon District.