One of the country's most gruelling races will return to Bolton this summer, after last year's event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The UK edition of the Ironman triathlon has been held in and around the town since 2009, and consists of a 2.4-mile swim in Pennington Flash, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon which finishes in the town centre.
This year's event will take place on Sunday July 4.
Ironman organisers have informed people living in the town centre about road closures that will be implemented on the day of the race, as well as in the days leading up to it.
Here is a full list of road closures in Bolton town centre (the closures are for Sunday July 4, unless specified):
Chorley New Road from A58/Beaumont Road to Park Street
(6am - midnight)
The bikes will be travelling east towards Bolton town centre down the length of Chorley New Road. The run course works its way around Queens Park and onto Chorley New Road.
The run course is an out and back on Chorley New Road from Bedford Street to Beaumont Road.
From 6am to 10am residential vehicles can travel eastbound towards the town centre.
From 5:30pm access is available eastbound from A58 Victoria Road junction through to Devonshire Road.
Access advice: Chorley Old Road, Crown Lane and Lee Lane are open as normal, please expect delays especially at Scholes Bank.
Park Road from Chorley New Road to B6202
(6am - 5.30pm)
The bike course turns south off Chorley New Road onto Park Road. Park Road will be closed from 6am until 5.30pm between Chorley New Road and the B6202.
Access advice: Residential access is advised westbound using Back Park Road and Dobson Road. There will be no parking on Park Road on Sunday July 4. Please seek alternative parking.
Park Road/Mayor Street
(6am - 5.30pm)
The bike course continues south on Park Road/Mayor Street before turning onto Spa Road to transition within Queens Park.
Access advice: There will be residential access maintained using a traffic managed scheme from Spa Road end of Mayor Street throughout the day. Please expect short delays when using the system during busy periods.
Spa Road/Marsden Road/Black Horse Street/Queens Street
(6am - 9pm on July 2 and 6am - midnight on July 4)
The bike course continues down Spa Road, onto Deansgate, Black Horse Street and laps around Le Mans Crescent and Queen Street before exiting town using the B6205.
The run course begins on Spa Road and continues north on Chorley Street and then right onto Bark Street.
Access advice: There is clear access on the A673 and A666 for the entirety of the event. Residential access will be facilitated when possible.
Spa Road is closed Eastbound on Friday July 2 from 4pm to 9pm.
Chorley Street, Bark Street, B6204
(4pm - 9pm on July 2, 6am - 3pm on July 3 and 6am - midnight on July 4)
Chorley Street, Bark Street and the B6204 between Deansgate and the B6205 will be closed from Friday to Sunday due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.
Access advice: There is clear access into Bolton Town Centre using St George's Road and the B6205/A575.
Le Mans Crescent
(June 28 - July 7)
Closure on the section of Le Mans Crescent between Albert Hall and Sports Direct in order to build and de-rig the event area for the weekend events.
Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North and South will be closed from 6am on Friday July 2 to 9am on Monday July 5 due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.
St George's Road/Bridge Street
(6.30am - 3pm)
St George's Road will be closed Westbound ONLY and Bridge Street will be closed Southbound ONLY between 6.30am and 3pm.
Access advice: Crossing point at junction of Bridge St/ B6205 for Northbound or Eastbound traffic.
Crossing point at junction of B6206/ 86205 /A676 for traffic travelling South on to Manor Street.
Northbound Bury New Road traffic will be diverted via Bridge Street.
Please expect delays when using these crossings.
Folds Road/Tonge Moor Road
(6.30am - 3pm)
The bike course travels out of Bolton town centre using Folds Road and Tonge Moor Road.
Due to this there will be an Eastbound ONLY closure between 6.30am and 3pm. Traffic will continue to flow Westbound into the town centre.
Access advice: Vehicle crossing point Westbound ONLY at Tonge Moor Road junction.
Please expect delays when using these crossings. Resident access will be facilitated.
Thicketford Road
(7am - 3.30pm)
The bike course then uses Thicketford Road where there is an Eastbound ONLY closure from 7am to 3.30pm.
Traffic can travel Westbound into Bolton town centre along this road.
Crossing of the route will not be permitted at the A58/Thicketford Road junction at any time.
