PROMINENT roads will be closed as the nation's biggest cycling event passes through the region.

The eighth stage of the Ovo Energy Tour of Britain will begin in Worcester on Sunday and see cyclists pass through Pershore whilst the seventh stage on Saturday will pass through the Cotswolds, with excitement building ahead of the event.

As part of the race, Evesham Road, in Sneachill, Egdon from the Spetchley Crossroads roundabout to Egdon Lane, Egdon Lane in Windmill Hill from Evesham Road to Worcester Road, Pershore Road in Stoulton from Egdon Lane to Worcester Road will be closed from 10.45am to 12.30pm on Sunday.

In addition, Worcester Road in Drakes Broughton from Pershore Road to High Street will also be closed during the same times.

Also closed during this period will be Pershore High Street from Station Road to Broad Street, Broad Street from Defford Road to Broad Street, Defford Road up to Bakers Hill and Bakers Hill from Defford Road to Main Street.

Main Street will also be closed from Defford Bakers Hill to the A4104 in Baughton, with the latter road also closed from Hill Croome to Main Street.

Roads will also be closed during the Cotswold leg on Saturday, for around 45 minutes to allow lead cars and riders to pass through.

Riders are scheduled to arrive in Charlbury on the B4437 at around 12.49pm before continuing along this road to Shipton-Under-Wychwood at roughly 1.04pm and Milton-Under-Wychwood at about 1.07pm.

Cyclists will then head towards Upper Rissington, arriving at around 1.20pm on the A424 and following on to Little Rissington and Bourton-on-the-Water at around 1.22pm and 1.24pm respectively.

They will then continue onto the A429 and arrive in Stow at around 1.36pm and Moreton at 1.46pm before going onto the A44 and arriving in Bourton-on-the-Hill at around 1.51pm.

Cyclists then arrive in Toddington on the B4077 at 2.18pm and Gretton at approximately 2.28pm before heading to Winchcombe, arriving on the B4078 at around 2.33pm.

Riders arrive at Cleeve Hill at about 2.40pm before continuing to Cheltenham where they are scheduled to finish at 2.49pm.

Cotswolds Tourism manager Sally Graff said: "It’s important that people know where and when the tour will be in their area.

"Those keen to see the race should ensure that they get to viewing areas well in advance of the lead cars arriving or they may face the prospect of being held up by a road closure.

"Similarly, anyone who is on the move and wants to avoid the disruptions to traffic flow caused by the race is advised to plan journeys to avoid any unnecessary delays.

"The estimated times of arrival are not set in stone but they will provide a very useful indication of the closure periods.

"Many towns and villages have lots of activities going on during the whole day, especially as there are also Heritage Open Days events to enjoy, so please ensure that you make the most of the many attractions available in the Cotswolds next weekend."

Updates regarding road closures will be posted via social media @GlosCC and @GlosRoads.

Meanwhile Bourton on the Hill will be staging the ‘King of the Mountains’ points prize on Saturday.

The Horse and Groom pub will be hosting large screen TVs, real ale and a barbecue so the excitement can be followed all the way to Cheltenham – in the pub car park there will be the Blockley 360 Gym spinning group with musical entertainment to keep everyone cycling.

Blockley 360 are also hosting a competition for spectators to challenge the Wattbike at the bottom of the hill by Fenhill Close, the winning prize is a dinner for two at the Horse and Groom Pub. t