Plans Are On Track Say Yorkshire Tour De France Organisers

It’s going to be one of the big stories of the tourism year, so let’s have an early update on how things are going with Yorkshire’s plans to host the start of the 2014 Tour De France.

Scheduled for six months time, the authorities say their plans are on track, with the Grand Départ taking place in Leeds on 5 July, when competitors will race to Harrogate.  The second stage is from York to Sheffield the day after. York City Council said it was finalising plans for spectator hubs and Welcome to Yorkshire said it was in a "great position" with six months to go.

As far as the money side of things is concerned,  the local authorities involved in the race are stumping up about £10.6m towards the £27m budget of hosting the English legs, which also includes the third leg on 7 July from Cambridge to London (more of that in weeks to come).

Just six months to go

Organisers TDF Hub 2014, chaired by Sir Rodney Walker, said about a third of the money had already been spent on "bid related and preparatory costs" to secure the event. Interestingly, about £4m of the budget is allocated for road resurfacing and highway maintenance work, which a report  produced by the company last month said was on schedule. At least motorists in the area will have a worthwhile legacy!

York councillor Sonja Crisp said: "We are busy getting the city ready. We're planning further events for businesses in February and March to help them make the most of the opportunities, such as a city-wide discount scheme on the day to help turn event footfall into retail footfall."

In the meantime, Welcome to Yorkshire and the First Direct Arena in Leeds have announced plans for a team presentation event on 3 July. Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity said: "We collectively promised... to host the grandest of Grand Départs.  By the time the teams take their place on the [arena] stage, people will truly realise how massive this event is for Yorkshire and globally."

The Leeds to Harrogate leg of the race will start on the Headrow in Leeds and head in a  northly direction out of the city towards Harewood through Skipton, Hawes, Leyburn and Ripon - a distance of 118 miles (190 km).

The second stage travels from York through Keighley, Hebden Bridge, Huddersfield and High Bradfield before arriving at Sheffield Arena 124 miles (200km) later. The race will continue from  Cambridge to London on Monday 7, prior to the French stages from 8 until 27 July.

                                   All about Yorkshire's involvement in the Tour De France 2014