Ironman 70.3 Bolton road closures in full as thousands to compete

Thousands are expected to take part in the events which start on June 6

Bolton council has announced major road closures across the city for the first weekend in June, as the town plays host to a major triathlon.

The Ironman triathlon will take place again in Bolton from Friday June 6 to Sunday June 8, with three separate events across the weekend including 5km and 10km night runs on Friday, children's running events on Saturday and the 70.3 mile triathlon for adult athletes on Sunday.

Known as an Ironman 70.3 or 'half Ironman', Sunday's event involves a 1.9 mile swim in Pennington Flash and a 55-mile bike ride passing through Horwich, Atherton and down to Leigh before looping back to Bolton town centre for the last leg of the race, a 13.5 mile run.

With thousands of people taking part, the council have said temporary road closures are needed to ensure the safety of residents, competitors and spectators.

Similar road closures to previous years will be in place around the town centre for Night Run Bolton on Friday, June 6, and IRONKIDS Bolton on Saturday, June 7.

Temporary road closures for IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton on Sunday, June 8 will extend from Pennington Flash to Bolton, where they will mainly affect Chorley New Road and the town centre.

The town centre and Middlebrook retail park will be open as normal all weekend. Anyone driving into the town centre is advised to park at one of the car parks, which will be open as normal.

Anyone heading to Middlebrook retail park from Bolton is advised to use Wigan Road (A676 / A58) to Manchester Road / Chorley Road (A6) and then use De Havilland Way (A6027).

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Thousands of local people and visitors will be taking part in and enjoying our three IRONMAN events and we are sure that there will once again be a fabulous atmosphere.

“But with so many people taking part, including children, we are asking everyone to help us make safety the highest priority.

“Temporary road closures are an unavoidable part of large events and while every effort is made to keep disruption to a minimum, we strongly advise residents and visitors to check the route maps and plan ahead accordingly.”

More information on the course and diversions to avoid road closures, including maps and timings, can be found on the IRONMAN website.

A road access hotline for further information is available six weeks prior to the events and throughout the race weekend by calling 03330 11 66 00.

Residents can also email bolton70.3@ironmanroadaccess.com for more information but this will not be monitored on race day.

IRONMAN road closures

All weekend

Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North and Howell Croft South will be closed from 06:00 on Friday, June 6 to 09:00 on Monday, June 9 due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.

Friday, June 6: Night Run Bolton

Moor Lane, Deansgate, Knowsley Street, Chorley Street, Spa Road, St Edmund Street, Helena Road and Bridge Street will be closed 17:30 – 21:00.

Spa Road will be closed eastbound from 17.30 – 21:00.

Saturday, June 7: IRONKIDS Bolton

Le Mans Crescent will be closed all day.

Deansgate will be closed 06:00 – 17:00.

Sunday, June 8: IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton

St Helen’s Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane, Slag Lane and Lowton Road will be closed from 06:00 – 10:00.

Wigan Road/Warrington Road (A573) will be closed 06:00 – 10:30.

Bickershaw Lane, a short section of the A578, Nel Pan Lane and Westleigh Lane will be closed 06:00 –10:45.

Atherleigh Way (A579) between St Helen’s Road and Kirkhall Lane will be closed northbound only 06:00 – 09:45.

Atherleigh Way (A579) will be closed northbound only between Kirkhall Lane and the Talbot roundabout 06:00 –10:45.

Gibfield Park Way and Gibfield Park Avenue will be closed 06:30 – 11:00.

North Road from the junction with Gibfield Park Avenue, Platt Lane and the A58 from Platt Lane to the Chequerbent roundabout will be closed 06:30 – 11:00.

Park Road and Manchester Road (A6) will be closed westbound only from 07:00 – 11:00.

Chew Moor Lane / Tempest Road to Regent Road, and Regent Road to Chorley New Road, will be closed 07:00 – 11:15.

De Havilland Way will be closed northbound 07:00 – 13:00.

Victoria Road (A58) and Old Kiln Lane will be closed 07:00 – 13:00.

Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to the Beehive Roundabout will be closed eastbound from 07:00 – 13:00. There will be access westbound throughout the day.

Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to Waterslea Drive will be closed from 07:00 – 13:30.

Chorley New Road from Waterslea Drive to St George’s Road (B6226) will be closed 07:00 – 17:30

Chew Moor Lane, St John’s Road, Tempest Road, Regent Road will be closed 07:00 – 11:15.

Chorley Street, Bark Street, St Helena’s Road, Blackhorse Street and Queen Street will be closed 07:00 – 15:30.

Spa Road will be closed from 06:00 – 18:00.