Published: Wednesday, 15th May 2024

Residents and road users are being urged to plan ahead as the famous IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton weekend returns from Friday, June 28 to Sunday, June 30.

Yellow sign with black text on a street post in Bolton. The text reads Ironman UK road closed 28 June to 30 June.Temporary road closures will affect different areas than in previous years on the Sunday, due to changes to the bike and running routes for the IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton race.

But the shorter distance of this year’s race means that road closures will be briefer.

With thousands of people of all ages and abilities, including children, taking part in three different events across the weekend, temporary road closures are needed to ensure the safety of competitors and spectators.

There are significant changes to the bike route of this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 event on Sunday, 30 June, which now includes Chorley New Road.

The run route has also changed slightly but remains concentrated around the town centre.

The town centre and Middlebrook retail park will be open as normal all weekend.

Anyone driving into the town centre is advised to park at one of the car parks, which will be open as normal.

Anyone heading to Middlebrook from Bolton is advised to use Wigan Road (A676 / A58) to Manchester Road / Chorley Road (A6) and then use De Havilland Way (A6027) to reach the retail park.

Road closures in and around the town centre for Night Run on Friday, June 28, and IRONKIDS on Saturday, June 29, remain the same as in previous years.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council, said:

“IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton weekend will bring thousands of spectators and competitors to Bolton, creating a party atmosphere and boosting the economy.

“But safety must be the priority and temporary road closures are an unavoidable part of large events like these.

“While every effort is made to keep disruption to a minimum, we strongly advise residents and visitors to check the route map and plan ahead accordingly.”

More information on the course and diversions to avoid road closures, including maps and timings, can be found on the IRONMAN website under “Course.”

A road access hotline for further information is available six weeks prior to the events and throughout the race weekend by calling 03330 11 66 00.

Residents can also email bolton70.3@ironmanroadaccess.com for more information but this will not be monitored on race day.

All weekend

Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North and Howell Croft South will be closed from Friday 28th June 06:00 to Monday 1st 09:00 due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.

Friday, June 28: Night Run

Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North and Howell Croft South will be closed all weekend.

Deansgate, Knowsley Street, Chorley Street, Bark Street, Back Bark Street and Bridge Street will be closed 17:30 – 21:00.

Spa Road will be closed eastbound from 17.30 – 21:00.

Saturday, June 29: IRONKIDS

Le Mans Crescent will be closed all day.

Deansgate will be closed 06:00 – 17:00.

Sunday, June 30: IRONMAN 70.3

St Helen’s Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane, Slag Lane and Lowton Road will be closed from 06:00 – 10:00.

Wigan Road/Warrington Road (A573) will be closed 06:00 – 10:30.

Bickershaw Lane, a short section of the A578, Nel Pan Lane and Westleigh Lane will be closed 06:00 –10:45.

Atherleigh Way (A579) between St Helen’s Road and Kirkhall Lane will be closed northbound only 06:00 – 09:45.

Atherleigh Way (A579) will be closed northbound only between Kirkhall Lane and the Talbot roundabout 06:00 –10:45.

Gibfield Park Way and Gibfield Park Avenue will be closed 06:30 – 11:00.

North Road from the junction with Gibfield Park Avenue, Platt Lane and the A58 from Platt Lane to the Chequerbent roundabout will be closed 06:30 – 11:00.

The bikes will turn left using Park Road/Manchester Road slip and will continue west on Manchester Road (A6). These roads will be closed westbound only from 07:00 – 11:00.

Chew Moor Lane / Tempest Road to Regent Road, and Regent Road to Chorley New Road, will be closed 07:00 – 11:15.

De Havilland Way will be closed northbound 07:00 – 13:00.

Victoria Road (A58) and Old Kiln Lane will be closed 07:00 – 13:00.

Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to the Beehive Roundabout will be closed eastbound from 07:00 – 13:00. There will be access Westbound throughout the day.

Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to Waterslea Drive will be closed from 07:00 – 13:30.

Chorley New Road from Waterslea Drive to St George’s Road (B6226) will be closed 07:00 – 17:30

Chew Moor Lane, St John’s Road, Tempest Road, Regent Road will be closed 07:00 – 11:15. 

Chorley Street, Bark Street, St Helena’s Road, Blackhorse Street and Queen Street will be closed 07:00 – 15:30.

Spa Road will be closed from 06:00 – 18:00.