Route confirmed for Vélo Birmingham

The route has been confirmed for next month’s Vélo Birmingham. The Sunday September 24 event will see 15,000 cyclists riding on closed roads, raising an estimated £1m for charity.

Earlier this month, we reported how some businesses in Staffordshire had hit out at the route, saying they weren’t given adequate warning of road closures. The complaints followed similar opposition in Worcestershire, which had resulted in the event being rerouted.

The confirmed route will take cyclists from Birmingham through Worcestershire and Staffordshire before finishing on Broad Street. Participants can then head into the Barclaycard Arena for post-ride celebrations.

The Staffordshire leg takes in towns and villages like Kinver, Wombourne and Trysull, and passes famous local landmarks including Stourton Castle, Kinver Edge and Highgate Common.

Another key change to the route will see riders pass through Droitwich Spa, instead of heading towards Cutnall Green, before joining up with the A448 in Worcestershire.

An interactive version of the map is now available on the Velo Birmingham website.

Organisers say that over 250,000 letters were issued to residents and businesses along the route last week. These featured in-depth information about the updated route and road closures and how to get in touch to discuss concerns.

Those affected have been advised to visit the website to discover the updated road closure timings and how best to navigate around them on the day.

A spokesperson said: “Vélo Birmingham has been working extensively to resolve as many local issues created by the road closures as possible by devising specific local traffic management plans. Organisers will continue to work closely with businesses and residents along the route to minimise the impact of the necessary road closures.”

Councillor Ian Ward, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “With this landmark event now fast approaching, we are extremely excited about welcoming 15,000 cyclists from far and wide to Birmingham for the rare opportunity of riding through the city centre on completely closed roads. Birmingham has a long and proud history of hosting a wide range of prestigious national and international sporting events and we are very much looking forward to continuing this success on September 24.”

Jon Ridgeon, Executive Chairman of Vélo Birmingham organisers CSM Active, said: “We’re delighted to confirm full details of Vélo Birmingham’s updated route, which I’m sure will further whet the appetite of the 15,000 cyclists gearing up to take part. The route is truly spectacular and it is great to hear that so many of our participants will be riding to fundraise for a range of extremely worthwhile causes. I would like to thank all our local authority partners for their continuing commitment and support.”