Mirfield is on the route for the women’s Tour de France when it comes through Kirklees next year – and that could be good news for local roads.
The last time le tour came to Kirklees in 2014, Kirklees Council brought forward spending on potholed and worn-out roads.
And that could be good news for Hopton Lane, Steanard Lane and Sunny Bank Road in Mirfield.
Hopton Hill is to form part of the so-called Cote de Kirkheaton as the peloton makes its way from Mirfield to Kirkheaton and towards Huddersfield.
The women’s race – called the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift – begins in West Yorkshire on Friday July 30 2027.
It enters Kirklees through Birkenshaw and passes through Birstall, Heckmondwike, Mirfield, Kirkheaton and Waterloo to reach Huddersfield heading out through Netherton and into Meltham and away over Wessenden Head Road towards Manchester.
Race organisers carry out a careful safety assessment of the route but generally any road repairs or improvements are the responsibility of the local council.
Back in 2014 Kirklees Council brought forward planned maintenance and money from future budgets to make repairs.
A Grand Départ GB spokesperson said: “The 2027 Grand Départ is being funded through a combination of public and private investment, with contributions from the UK Government, devolved administrations and local authorities.
“Local authority partners are contracted to deliver a safe and suitable race route through their respective areas, which may entail the responsibility for delivering some road maintenance and repairs.”
The spokesperson added: “We are working closely with partners across each of the stage routes on all aspects of hosting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2027, in particular the stage routes, with rider and spectator safety paramount at all times.”
A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “Kirklees Council is working with the event organisers and partners to deliver a safe and suitable race route through Kirklees for the Tour de France Femmes 2027.
“As part of the planning process, detailed route assessments are being carried out to identify whether any temporary or permanent works may be required along sections of the route.
“Any necessary works would be considered and programmed through the council’s existing highways and operational processes.”
Race organisers will also look at speed humps and other street furniture on the route and decide whether “appropriate mitigation” is needed.
Images: SWPix
