Line the streets for the Olympic Torch Relay |
- Published: Friday, 06 July 2012 10:28
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Residents, families and friends will be able to cheer on the Olympic torchbearers as they carry the Olympic Torch through the streets of Felbridge on 17 July and Godstone and Bletchingley on 20 July. The convoy (the vehicles used to transport the torchbearers, torch and sponsors) travelling with the Olympic Flame has 14 vehicles and travels in two sections. The first half of the convoy, including the sponsors' vehicles, will provide entertainment for the crowds and hand out Torch Relay keepsakes from the left hand side of the vehicles. The Torchbearer carrying the Olympic Flame follows around five minutes later in the second half. Felbridge Tuesday 17 July At 9.50am the Olympic convoy is scheduled to arrive from Copthorne and stop opposite Lyndhurst Farm Close, where the Torchbearers will take the torch and carry it down the A264 Copthorne Road and onto the A22 London Road heading towards East Grinstead. There are four torchbearers and each will run about 300 metres. Godstone Friday 20 July Just after 1.30pm the Olympic convoy is scheduled to arrive from Sevenoaks and travel to the fire station on the B2235 Godstone Hill. From there Torchbearers will carry the torch down Godstone Hill, onto the A25 High Street, A25 Godstone Green Road and stop at Ivy Mill Lane, where the torch will be taken back into the convoy. There are four torchbearers and each will run about 300 metres. Bletchingley Friday 20 July The convoy will travel from Godstone along the A25 and stop at Chevington Villas, Bletchingley at 1.45pm. Torchbearers will run from there along the A25 High Street and onto Castle Street until they reach Barfields, where the torch will be taken into the convoy. The convoy will continue its journey on the A25 until it reaches Redhill. There are five torchbearers and each will run about 300 metres. The Big Village Sports Day To celebrate and animate the Olympic Torch, Tandridge Trust is hosting a big party and sports day at Grange Meadow in Bletchingley on Friday 20 July. The fun will start at 2.30pm, just after the Olympic Torch has passed through the village and finish at 4.30pm. To find out more visit www.tandridgetrust.co.uk. Travel advice Anyone coming to see the Torch Relay or attend the event is advised to walk, cycle, use public transport or park further away and walk in. Roads are not being closed, but there will be traffic disruption and large crowds are expected. The traffic behind the torch will be slowed right down and the traffic travelling in the opposite direction will continue moving, although it is anticipated this traffic will also slow down or even stop to watch. For their safety, spectators should stand on the pavement or grass verge (ideally on the left hand side of the street the Flame is being carried along) and not in the road, or anywhere near the vehicles in the convoy. Parking There will be no parking on the route of the Torch Relay and parking will be limited. Godstone Parish Council is allowing parking on the green (subject to weather) and Knights Garden Centre, Bletchingley Golf Club and Lawrence Auctioneers are opening their car parks up to the public. Local farmers have also been approached about opening up their fields for the public to use. Chairman of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Tony Elias, said: "We hope residents, their friends and families will turn out to line the streets and cheer the torchbearers on. The Relay is a chance to showcase our beautiful district and we hope local businesses will benefit from an increase in visitors to the area. "If you are coming to watch, please walk, cycle, use public transport or park further away and walk in, as parking will be limited. There will be traffic disruption so please be patient." Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens said: "We have been watching the Torch Relay closely in other parts of the country and it has been fantastic to see the crowds that have gathered to see the iconic flame. Despite the large crowds, people seem to have really got in to the spirit of the event and there has not been any noticeable increase in crime or disorder. "That said, I would urge anyone going to see the Torch Relay to take sensible precautions as you would with any event of this nature, such as leaving unneeded valuables at home, keeping bags and rucksacks zipped up and close to the body and not keeping wallets and mobile phones in back pockets. I would also ask if any members of the public hear or see anything suspicious, either out and about or on the internet, to let us know by calling 101." For more information visit www.tandridge.gov.uk/london2012. |