SALISBURY will today host the grand final of Britain’s leading televised cycle race series.

As part of the city’s ongoing recovery programme, Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council are supporting the OVO Energy Tour, which is taking place in Wiltshire for the first time.

The councils hope it will highlight that Salisbury is returning to normal almost three months on from the nerve agent attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

Crowds will gather on Blue Boar Row for the start and finish of the final, and the elite athletes involved will travel in a circuit along Silver Street, High Street, New Canal, Catherine Street, Ivy Street and Brown Street. Race introductions start at 5pm, the women’s race will start at 6pm the men’s race will start at 8pm.

Entertainment starts at 11am with free face painting, arts and crafts, samba and steel bands, and with more entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening, including Phoenix cheerleaders who will be entertaining the spectators along with performing arts group Starcast.

John Thomson, deputy leader of Wiltshire Council said: “We’re delighted to host this excellent event in the city of Salisbury, particularly in light of recent incident. It will be really exciting to see the elite cyclists at the peak of their powers sprinting around the 1.2km circuit. There will be a range of entertainment throughout the day, and there will be something for all ages to enjoy.

“I hope that you will join us for this prestigious event and support Salisbury which is now well on the way to recovery.”

Traffic diversions will be in place from 9am as a result of the Blue Boar Row closure. 
Cars entering the city via Castle Street will be diverted along Scots Lane, Endless Street, Salt Lane, St Edmunds Church Street, Gigant Street, Love Lane, St Ann’s Street and Exeter Street.
Once the circuit closes a two-way traffic system will be put in at the junction of New Street and St John’s Street for the duration of the race.
Cars entering Fisherton Street will be diverted to Summerlock Approach and across Central Car Park.
Blue Boar Row, Queen Street, Endless Street (between Blue Boar Row and Chipper Lane) will be closed from 9am for setting up the start and finish area.  
Minster Street, Silver Street, High Street (excluding the pedestrian section), New Canal, Catherine Street, Brown Street (excluding Brown Street south of Trinity Street/Ivy Street) and Winchester Street (excluding Winchester Street east of Rollestone Street) will be closed from 1pm. 

All Salisbury Park and Ride sites will be free and open until about 11pm. The drop-off point will be at Castle Street near to the Milford Hall Hotel with the pick-up point at Millstream Approach Coach Park.
Info: wiltshire.gov.uk