Residents bemoan Bolton Ironman UK road closures in Darwen

The Bolton Ironman UK event attracts thousands of fans and participants from across the country and is due to take place from Friday, June 30, to Sunday, July 2.

Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place across Bolton and some surrounding towns, and this includes parts of Darwen, for one weekend a year.

Ironman UK said ‘organisers work closely with the host councils to design routes and set timings that cause as little negative impact as possible’.

However, the organisation admitted ‘Sundays are not impact free, particularly for churches’. 

Traffic restrictions are being enforced to accommodate the 112 mile (180.2 km) bike course which runs across the Bolton and Darwen border, to keep cyclists safe from motor vehicles along the route. 

Residents around Watery Lane and Pole Lane were informed well in advance there will be parking restrictions from 11pm on Saturday, July 1, to 4.30pm on Sunday 2.

The course will take in Blacksnape Road and also affect Marsh House Lane and road closures will be in place from 7.30am to 4.30pm on the Sunday.

Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed Watery Lane will be closed southbound between 7.30am and 4.30pm but one-way access will be maintained from A666 Bolton Road.

There will be no access to Watery Lane from Sough Road, and no parking in Cemetery Road.

One resident who lives in the area said he was concerned his wife would not be able to go to church in the morning.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: “My wife is disabled and she needs to park close to St Barnabas Church, off Watery Lane. 

“Where is she supposed to park? We only found out about the parking restrictions recently and there was no consultation with local people.

“This is a Bolton event and should take place in Bolton.

“Bolton have imposed this route on the people of Darwen and a lot of people are not happy.

“It is a total farce an outside group and event can impose this on local residents.”

Another resident said: “What people haven't realised is large parts of Darwen will be unable to leave there streets lanes or roads, in particular thousands that live on the estates up Cranberry Lane.”

He said he had not been able to get an answer to his concerns and had been passed from one person to the next.

Residents will still be able to easily get around by walking or cycling, just not by driving, with Darwen town centre just a one mile walk from the area affected.

The route through Darwen (Image: LT)

Blackburn with Darwen Council clarified the roads to be affected and sent a statement on behalf of Ironman UK.

It read: “Ironman UK brings many benefits to the communities around the various event venues, but it is also recognised that an event of this scale cannot take place without some disruption to local residents.

“The organisers work closely with the host councils to design routes and set timings that cause as little negative impact as possible.

"Much of the Ironman course is partially open to traffic, in order that access can be maintained while providing a safe course for the athletes. 

“Sunday is generally accepted as the day that minimises disruption, but it is recognised Sundays are not impact free, particularly for churches. 

“Wherever possible, the organisers work with the church and congregations to provide advice and access methods.

"This advice varies from place to place depending on the location and availability of access routes.”

Ironman UK said it has delivered leaflets to more than 100,000 addresses in the area 'so residents, churches and other organisations can prepare’.

It added: “Notification signage is also installed through the affected areas to ensure as many people as possible are aware.

“Ironman wishes to thank the communities around the event for their understanding and support of all the Ironman athletes.”

For further information on road closures, diversion routes and access routes people can visit https://www.ironman.com/im-uk-course and scroll down to the ‘traffic impact’ link. 

If individual advice is required people can contact uk@ironmanroadaccess.com but this e-mail will not be manned on race day.