Hundreds of Kingston roads to close during Olympic cycle races (From Kingston Guardian)

Hundreds of Kingston roads to close during Olympic cycle races

7:00am Monday 2nd July 2012 in News By Clare Buchanan

Hundreds of Kingston roads to close during Olympic cycle races

Hundreds of residents and motorists will be affected by road closures in Kingston during the Olympic cycling events, that hit the borough next month.

Dozens of roads will be closed during the Olympic road races and time trial events that will take place between July 28 and August 1.

A document of 30 pages lists up to 360 roads – some of which are residential – that will be closed during the three-day Olympic stint in Kingston.

Some main roads in Kingston that will be affected include St James’ Road, London Road, Kingston Hall Road and Penrhyn Road.

Portsmouth Road, which runs through Kingston, Surbiton, Long Ditton and Esher, will be affected as will Brighton Road in Surbiton.

Councillor Rolson Davies said: “The roads are only closed for three days. I am very much in favour of the Olympics being brought to the borough.

“There is so much emphasis on the east side of London with the stadium there so it is great that we have got something in our borough.

“There are lots of signs about road closures. There has been quite a lot of forewarning.”

Jon Fray, a member of Kingston Cycling Campaign, has also been positive about the upcoming road closures.

He said: "It might be better to avoid the roads altogether, but if the roads are closed people will have to find alternatives. Maybe one will be to cycle instead."

Kingston Chamber of Commerce has said the cycle races and time trials will cause disruption for employees trying to get to work and would have a knock-on effect on traffic in the borough.

Furniture business Seriously Sofas in Union Street will be affected by the road closures.

A spokesman for the business said: “We are happy just to work around road closures and plan what we are doing just that extra bit more.

“We know when the roads are closed, we know when our deliveries are scheduled and we advise our customers and suppliers accordingly.”

Residents have also been positive about the Olympics passing through the borough.

Penny D’Souza, chairman of Canbury and Riverside Residents’ Association, said: “It is well worth the inconvenience.

“I hope the council will continue to publicise what the road closures are and how residents will be affected to minimise the disruption.

“There is plenty of information available on the internet, but not everybody uses a computer and it would be helpful to have something come through the post.”

For more information on road closures visit getaheadofthegames.com