Thousands flock to Highland Perthshire for Etape Caledonia 2008
Last updated | 13/05/2008
The UK’s only closed-road cycling event is set attract thousands of visitors to Highland Perthshire this weekend.
The Etape Caledonia, to be held on Sunday 18 May, will see around two thousand cyclists from across the world tackle an 81-mile route, with Highland Perthshire providing a stunning backdrop.
A weekend of events and celebrations have been organised by local community groups and businesses, ensuring a carnival atmosphere throughout the area for participants, spectators, visitors and residents. The event will also give the Highland Perthshire economy a major boost.
One new feature of this year's event will be two 50” inch screens at the start/finish line, one showing the location of certain participants including celebrity Aggie MacKenzie (TV’s How Clean is your House, Dancing on Ice) and Mark Beaumont (around the world cyclist) going around the course in real time.
The other screen will show shots of the route - for example as the participants go past Queen's View the crowd will be able to see it. People from anywhere in the world will be able log on to the Etape website and view this action in real time on Sunday. The screens are being provided by Aberfeldy company Blue Sky Telemetry.
Cyclists will begin the event between 7.00am-7.30am from the start/finish point in Atholl Road, Pitlochry.
Road closures will be in place around the route from 5am. Closure times will be kept to a minimum, as roads will re-open once cyclists have passed through. The event will start earlier than last year in an effort to minimise the impact of road closures on local residents. It is hoped that early stages of the route will be re-opened by around 9.00-10.00am. The whole of the 81-mile route should be re-opened to traffic by 3.30pm.
Residents along the route have been informed of the closures well in advance, and road signage has been put out along the route ahead of the event to warn motorists. Access for the emergency services will be maintained at all times over any part of the course.
Enterprise and Infrastructure Convener, Councillor John Kellas, said: “The Etape Caledonia is fast becoming one of the top class cycling events in the UK and there is a positive level of support for the event from local communities. There is certainly a widespread acknowledgement of its importance and value, both in terms of direct input into the economy and as a promotional tool for the area.
“I am sure that Highland Perthshire will again be the perfect host for the thousands of visitors who will flock to the area for this weekend’s cycle event and all the attached events and celebrations. I hope everyone has a fantastic time.”
Provost John Hulbert, who will be in Pitlochry for the start of the event, said: “I would like to welcome participants and visitors to Perthshire for this fantastic and unique event. Highland Perthshire will provide a challenging course for cyclists and a beautiful backdrop for cyclists and spectators alike. The weekend has become about much more than just cycling - the whole of the area is gearing up for an exciting carnival weekend. I’m positive it will be a huge success and I would like to wish all the Etape participants the best of luck.”
The Traffic Order for Sunday 18 May, 2008 will prohibit vehicular traffic on:
1) A924 Perth Rd & Atholl Rd Pitlochry (Bridge Rd to A9(T) Nth Interchange)
Recommended diversion for the above A9(T) A924
2) B8019 Strathtummel (A9 Nth Interchange to Tummel Bridge via Garry Bridge)
3) B846 (Tummel Bridge to C452 Foss Rd)
4) C452 Foss Rd (B846 to Bridge Rd)
5) Bridge Rd (Foss Rd to A924)
6) B846 (Tummel Bridge to C450 Jnc Bridge of Gaur)
7) C450 South Loch Rannoch Road(Bridge of Gaur to Kinloch Rannoch)
8) C450 Schiehallion Road (Kinloch Rannoch to Tomphubil)
9) B846 (Tomphubil to Coshieville)
10) C448 Glenlyon Rd (Coshieville to C449 Jnc Glenlyon)
11) C449 Fearnan Rd (C448 to U162 Duneaves Rd Jnc)
12) U162 Duneaves Rd (C449 to U177 Drummond Hill Rd)
13) U177 Drummond Hill Rd (U162 to B846 Jnc)
14) B846 (U177 Jnc to Weem Toll)
15) C447 Strathtay Road (Weem Toll to Tulloch of Pitnacree A827 Jnc)
16) A827 (C447 Jnc Tulloch of Pitnacree to C452 Jnc Logierait )
Recommended diversion route for the above A826 A822 A85(T) A9(T)
17) C452 Dunfallandy Road (A827 Logierait to Bridge Rd , Pitlochry)
18) Bonnethill Rd Pitlochry in a northerly direction
19) Southwards on East Moulin Road ( A924 to Higher Oakfield)
Recommended diversion route Higher Oakfield Toberargan Rd Bonnethill Rd A924
The Order is between 05:00 to 15:30 on the day. However, roads will reopen in stages once cyclists have passed through.
The order will also prohibit vehicular traffic on:
a) A9(T) South Pitlochry Slip Road between A9 and A924 from 05:00 to 15:00. Recommended diversion route A9 North Junction-A924
b) A9(T) North Pitlochry Slip Road between A9 and A924 from 05:00 to 08:15. Recommended diversion route A9–C452-Foss Road-Bridge Road-A924
It will prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic from turning as follows:
a) Right turning traffic from A9(T) to A822 (Dunkeld-Amulree) from 05:00 to 15:00. Recommended diversion route A9(T) Inveralmond Roundabout A9(T)
b) Right turning from A822 (Dunkeld-Amulree) to A9(T) from 05:00 to 15:00.
Recommended diversion route A9(T) Pitlochry North Slip A924 A9(T)
c) Left turning from A9(T) (Nth Bound) to A827 (Ballinluig – Aberfeldy) from 05:00 to 15:00. Recommended diversion route A827 A9(T) B989
d) Left turning from A9(T) (Sth Bound) to A827 (Ballinluig – Aberfeldy) from 05:00 to 15:00. Recommended diversion route A9(T) B989
Also required a temporary speed restriction as follows:
Restrict all vehicular traffic to a speed limit of 40mph from a point 1 kilometre south of B989 (Bishopric) Junction to a point 1 kilometre north of B989 junction.
Full details of the road closures and the event itself can also be found at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk.
