Six-month countdown on for Commonwealth Games
The six-month countdown is on to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - with cycling fans looking forward to catching the time trial event as it races through Dudley in August.
To mark the six-month milestone, organisers Birmingham 2022 and games partners have launched the ‘Get Set For The Games’ programme.
Available at www.birmingham2022.com/getset, it will provide useful information for businesses and residents to help prepare for the huge influx of visitors to the region when the Games gets under way.
Dudley will be hosting a large section of the cycling time trial on August 4.
The race starts and finishes in Wolverhampton, but much of the course will run along the streets of Dudley, taking in key sites such as Himley Hall and Coronation Gardens.
The route runs through Dudley town centre from Birmingham New Road and passes Coronation Gardens and Stone Street Square. It also takes in Sedgley and Gornal before heading past the historic Himley Hall.
Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said:
This is a significant event through the heart of Dudley and gives us an opportunity to showcase what we have in the borough on an international stage.
This is our opportunity to be part of a global event and I am delighted we have been chosen to do that.
It will of course naturally cause some disruption to roads while it is on, so I would urge people to check out the Games’ new Get Set page and plan their journeys accordingly.
Halesowen Cycling Club joined senior council bosses to begin the countdown to the games in the summer.
The club, which has been running since 1937, is one of the leading cycling clubs in the West Midlands and has a proven track record of developing world class cyclists such as Olympians Jess Varnish and Helen Scott.
David Viner, chairman of Halesowen Cycling Club, added:
Cycling is one of the traditional events at the Games and this is a wonderful opportunity to not only inspire the next generation of cyclists but the sporting stars of the future.
We already have some incredible riders at the club who are already making a noise on the national stage. That means cycling in the borough is in a very good place, so it is only right that the organisers have chosen to bring some of the biggest names in the sport here.
For example, just after turning 16, Tomos Pattinson from Brierley Hill won the 2021 National Hill Climb Championship in Derbyshire. We have some very talented boys and girls. Tracey Hipkiss, our club secretary and coach is starting a Freewheeler Cubs course from April 29 for children aged 4 to 8. Everyone is welcome.
The new pedestrian crossing and cycle/walking outside Manor Abbey being installed by Dudley Council will offer far better access for runners, walkers and cyclists. This will be great for Halesowen.