Pickering Prepares for Olympic Torch
19 March 2012
Pickering is preparing to play host to the Olympic Torch when it arrives via the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on the morning of Monday, 18 June 2012.
The Torch is due to arrive in Pickering at 11.44am and will be carried by five torchbearers through the town with thousands of spectators expected to welcome its arrival in Ryedale.
The torch will be carried through Pickering as a rolling road closure stops traffic whilst the flame is carried through the town for around 19 minutes. The torch will then travel to Scarborough in convoy mode and will not be visible to the public.
"So many people are really looking forward to the Olympic Torch Relay coming to Ryedale, " said Cllr James Fraser, Chair of the 2012 Torch Relay Ryedale Community Task Force.
"As Chair of the Community Task Force I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in welcoming the Flame to our district.
"So many people have worked hard to try and ensure that this once in a lifetime event is one that everyone can enjoy.
"I am sure that it will be a fantastic event."
In a bid to maximise visitor enjoyment and minimise disruption to every day events advice on the route, car parking availability and travel advice have been published in a souvenir brochure available below. Included in the brochure are full details of car parking in the Pickering area, including a park and ride service which has been set up for the day at Pickering Showground.
On street parking along the route will not be available on the day. Pickering Market will be on as usual but will be closed to traffic. Additional parking will be available at Pickering Recreation Club. Charges will apply.
As part of the celebrations a convoy of vehicles featuring the main sponsors of the event – Cocoa Cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB – will be approximately 30 minutes ahead of the main torch convoy and will give away promotional material to the crowds.
The bells of St Peter and St Pauls Church will be rung by the members of the Scarborough and District Branch of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers to mark the arrival of the torch.
Volunteer photographers will be capturing the events on film for a display at the Ryedale Open At Exhibition from July 7.
Rolling road blocks will be in place during the event and local businesses and visitors to the area are being advised that there may be possible disruption to deliveries and journey times.
Full details of the route can be found at London 2012 It is likely that some bus services will be disrupted because of the torch relay. For more information about public transport timetables, visit North Yorks Travel or Transport Direct.
Advice to Spectators
Where possible please use public transport to travel to see the Olympic Torch in Pickering. Please be aware that some bus services may be disrupted because of the torch relay. For more information about public transport timetables, visit North Yorks Travel or Transport Direct. It is anticipated that many spectators will try to see the Olympic Torch as it arrives at the NYMR station.
Access to the station itself will be restricted and space in Park Street is limited.
Please refer to the online brochure to see other viewing points which should give better visibility of the event. A high volume of people is expected and some areas of the route will be very congested. Please remember that other viewing areas further along the route may give better visibility.
Please note that any unavoidable factors the Olympic Torch Relay encounters on the day may result in the Torch passing through areas earlier or later than the times listed. Listen to BBC Radio York (95.5FM), on 18 June to find out how the Torch is progressing or follow the event on twitter via VisitRyedale.
Visitors and residents of Ryedale can now plan to get involved in this unique opportunity to welcome the Olympic Flame and witness the wonderful spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay.
To book your accommodation for the Olympic Torch visit, see our accommodation section.
 Pickering Olympic Torch Booklet.pdf | [ ] | 957 Kb |
