Geared up for Elmbridge's Olympic cycle race?

Here is our guide to what you need to know so you can get ready for Elmbridge’s much-anticipated role as a host borough for the Games.

Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29, see the men’s and women’s cycle race events whizzing through Elmbridge.

A spokesman for Elmbridge Council said: “There’ll be disruption and we're doing everything we can to minimise it.

“Be prepared - plan ahead, we’re expecting huge crowds, there’ll be lots of road closures and it will be difficult to get around.”

Drivers are advised to leave cars at home, walk where possible and book travel in advance where possible.

It is worth familiarising yourself with the cycle routes for the two days, and for the time trial event which takes place largely in Elmbridge on August 1.

If you cannot avoid travelling, Transport Direct’s door-to-door journey planner will help you plan a route around the road closures
Designated crossing point will be available, but have not been advertised.

Access will also be maintained for emergency vehicles.

The Elmbridge Guardian will be reporting live from both cycle race events.

Visit elmbridgeguardian.co.uk for updates, and email olympics@london.newsquest.co.uk with your pictures and tales.

For information on anything not included here, visit gosurrey.co.uk, which also has a free iPhone app with extra cycling race information.

Where and when to watch the races:

Crossing points will be dotted along the route, but it is advised people walk.

There will be two disabled viewing areas at the Marquis of Granby, in Portsmouth Road, Esher, and outside Hampton Court station.

The men’s race on Saturday, July 28, is expected to come over Hampton Court bridge at about 10.35am, and hit Walton at 10.45am.

It will hit Esher at about 3.05pm, and then return through Hampton Court at 3.10pm.

The women’s cycle race on Sunday, July 29, passes Hampton Court Palace at 12.40pm, Walton at 12.50pm and Esher at 3.10pm.

It returns through Hampton Court at 3.10pm.

Road closures:

Closures will start from 4am and Surrey County Council anticipated roads would reopen about three hours after the final race vehicle had passed through each area.

Traffic was expected to remain heavy across the borough when roads re-open, so people have been advised to leave cars at home for the day.
Hampton Court will re-open much later than the other locations because the cyclists pass it twice.

The time trial race on August 1, and the rehearsal time trial on July 31, will see rolling road closures, so avoid driving where possible.

The time trail rehearsal on July 31 will see rolling road closures between 10am and 2pm.

On August 1, initial road closures will start at 5.30am.

Hampton Court Road, north of the roundabout to the entrance of Bushy Park, will be closed from 10pm on July 31 until 5.30am on August 2 and the southbound A3 exit slip at Painshill will be closed from 8.30am on August 1.

It is not anticipated the torch relay, which leaves Hampton Court Palace early on Friday, July 27, will create road closures, but there will be congestion because of large crowds.

Esher’s Civic Centre will be closed on August 1 due to the Olympic time trial race.

It will re-open on Thursday, August 2, at 8.45am.

Full and partial road race closures for July 28 and 29:

A244 High Street, Oxshott

A244 Leatherhead Road, Oxshott, from Oxshott Road to High Street

A245 Byfleet Road, Weybridge, from its junction with Brooklands Road to its junction with Parvis Road

A307 Portsmouth Road, Esher, from High Street to Hampton Court Way, including the Scilly Isles roundabout

Bridge Street, Walton, from Hepworth Way to Oatlands Drive

Brooklands Road, Weybridge, including the area also known as Caenswood Hill

Church Street, Walton

Claremont Lane, Esher

Copsem Lane, Oxshott to Esher, including the roundabout at the A3 junction

Hanger Hill, Weybridge, including roundabouts at the north and southern ends and at its junction with Queens Road

Hepworth Way, Walton 

High Street, Esher, from Claremont Lane to Portsmouth Road

Hurst Road, East Molesey to West Molesey

Oatlands Drive, Walton to Weybridge

River Bank, East Molesey

Terrace Road, Walton

Warren Lane, Oxshott

Parking:

Elmbridge has opened four additional car parking sites for people that want to view the cycling races along the routes.

Parking in all sites will be £15 per vehicle, per day and booking confirmation needs to be brought to the sites.

Limited access to the car parks will be available during the events, but early arrival is highly recommended because of the road closures.

The four extra car parks, which are available from 1am on the date of each event, are:

Brooklands Community Park event

Leg O’Mutton open space, Cobham

Elmbridge Eagles Rugby Club, Claygate

Elmbridge car parks where accessed is blocked or severely restricted during the road races on July 28 and 29:

Thamesmead, Walton

Manor Road, Walton

Drewitts Court, Walton

Oatlands Village, Weybridge

Heath North, Weybridge station

Heath South, Weybridge station

Steels Lane, Oxshott

Berguette, Esher (access via Waitrose car park)

Civic Centre, Esher

Elmbridge car parks where accessed is blocked or severely restricted during the time trial on August 1:

Walton Road, East Molesey

New Berry Lane, Hersham

Hollyhedge Road, Cobham

Highwaymans Cottage, Esher

Civic Centre, Esher

Southbank, Long Ditton