Women’s Tour race starts today

The Women’s Tour is landing in our region today as the race makes its way through our patch.

The road cycling race, which will see competitors like Olympic gold medallist Laura Trott take part, has four stages in the east of England: 

• Stage 2 – Hinckley – Bedford; Thursday 8th May
• Stage 3 - Felixstowe – Clacton; Friday 9th May
• Stage 4 – Cheshunt – Welwyn Garden City; Saturday 10th May
• Stage 5 – Harwich – Bury St. Edmunds; Sunday 11th May

Although we aren’t providing medical cover for the event, we have a resilience plan (Operation Narration) in place and there are a few things to be aware of: 

• There will be an EEAST liaison officer (event Ambulance Silver) available throughout the event, who will be in direct contact with other services.
• The race will be escorted by a group of police and civilian marshall motorcycles – referred to as the Central Escort Group (CEG).
• EEAST resources that are on an emergency call and displaying blue flashing lights will take priority over the race at all times. The EOC will liaise closely with our liaison officer if a 999 call comes in within the race vicinity so that the race is halted.
• However, any ambulance resources not engaging on an emergency call or displaying blue flashing lights will be stopped by police for the race to progress. The average race speed is 45mph, and with only 90 cyclists in the race this will be for a minimal time.