Residents and visitors are being encouraged to plan ahead as the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women comes to Cumberland on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
The opening stage of Britain's biggest professional women's cycle race will start and finish in Cockermouth, taking riders on a challenging 158.9km route through communities across west and north Cumberland before returning to Cockermouth for the finish. The race route will pass through areas including Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Allonby, Silloth, Abbeytown, Wigton, Caldbeck, Aspatria and Cockermouth.
To enable the event to take place safely, a combination of temporary road closures, rolling road closures and parking restrictions will be in place across the route on race day. Cumberland Council is advising residents, businesses and visitors to familiarise themselves with the arrangements and allow extra time for journeys.
Most roads on the route will be subject to rolling road closures, meaning traffic will be temporarily held for short periods as the riders and race convoy pass through before reopening as soon as it is safe to do so. Rolling road closures are expected to operate between approximately 10.40am and 4.30pm.
Special arrangements will also be in place in Cockermouth to accommodate the start and finish areas. Main Street and Station Street will be closed from 4am until 6.30pm, while South Street will be closed from 7am until 5pm. Crown Street, Sullart Street and Gallowbarrow will also be closed between 9am and 11.30am to allow event infrastructure to be installed safely.
In addition, the A595 between Bothel and Cockermouth will be closed from 2pm until 3.45pm while riders complete the final sections of the stage. These timings are precautionary and the actual duration may be shorter.
The race is expected to pass through local communities at the following approximate times:
- Whitehaven: 11.43am to 11.55am
- High Harrington: 11.57am to 12.07pm
- Workington: 12.01pm to 12.17pm
- Flimby: 12.12pm to 12.25pm
- Maryport: 12.16pm to 12.30pm
- Allonby: 12.28pm to 12.45pm
- Silloth: 12.44pm to 1.04pm
- Wigton: 1.12pm to 1.38pm
- Caldbeck: 1.30pm to 2pm
- Aspatria: 2pm to 2.37pm
- Cockermouth, first passage of the finish line: 2.21pm to 3.02pm
- Cockermouth, race finish: 3pm to 3.50pm
Lead vehicles may arrive around 15 minutes before the riders.
Several public car parks are available around the town centre. Cumberland Council operates both long and short-stay parking, including Riverside long-stay car park and Fairfield short-stay car park.
Visitors travelling to Cockermouth to watch the race will be able to use parking at Cockermouth Rugby Club as an overflow car park. Cumberland Council is also working with local partners to identify additional parking options and will publish further details ahead of race day once arrangements have been finalised.
Residents can find further information about the race, route, road closures and timings at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/tourofbritain/women and www.cumberland.gov.uk/TourofBritain
Any queries regarding the traffic restrictions can be directed to Cumberland Council's Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3736.
