To help prepare residents and businesses in the city for the occasion – especially those along the route – Cambridge City Council is providing comprehensive information on what to expect, what to avoid, and how to make the most of the event.
The Council’s website includes information on the route, timings for the main public event on the Saturday evening, details of the torch's departure on Sunday morning and helpful guidance on parking, safety and Trading Standards. Recently added is information on the extended Park & Ride service, and details of viewing access for the public early on the Sunday morning when the Torch departs via Trinity College.To further raise awareness, Cambridge City Council has also produced a leaflet with the key details which has been distributed to businesses and households lining the route – also available online.
Rod Cantrill, Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places, commented: "This is a huge and unique event for Cambridge in every sense. It is a historic occasion for residents and visitors to the city to embrace the Olympic spirit. We are expecting large numbers to turn out to see the Torch and the live shows that accompany it, as well as the live music, displays, fireworks and other superb free entertainments that the Big Weekend brings to the city every year.
"The sheer scale of the event means that we need to keep people as well-informed as possible about issues such as temporary road closures and how businesses may be affected. The website offers advice on this, as well as FAQs and contact information for anyone with concerns or specific queries. Our key message to residents and visitors is simple: plan your weekend carefully. Armed with the information provided by the website and leaflet, Cambridge residents and businesses will be well equipped to do exactly that and help make the event a once in a life time experience for all."
For the latest, information on the Olympic Torch Relay at the Big Weekend celebrations in Cambridge – including advice for spectators on getting there, what you can expect to see and how to plan your day out – visit: www.cambridge.gov.uk/olympics
Or contact the City Council team directly:
Phone 01223 458628
Email enquries@cambridge.gov.uk
For the online version of the City Council's leaflet 'Olympic Torch Relay: Important information for local businesses and residents', please go to:
issuu.com/cambridgecornexchange/docs/otr-leaflet_download
The Olympic Torch Relay is currently taking the Flame to towns and cities in every corner of the UK. Having arrived in the UK from Greece on 18 May 2012, the Olympic Flame began its 70 day journey at Land's End, Cornwall on 19 May 2012. It is expected to travel an estimated 8,000 miles across the UK before arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to their doorstep. Cambridge is one of 66 evening celebration locations across the UK.
For information on the Olympic Torch Relay, please visit: www.cambridge.gov.uk/olympics
The Big Weekend – part of the annual Summer In The City celebrations and Cambridge's biggest free event – takes place every year on Parker's Piece and offers local people three days of free music, sports and cultural entertainment. In 2012 it also plays host to the historic arrival of the Olympic Torch and its overnight Evening Celebration, providing the opportunity for thousands of people to come together and share in the Olympic spirit.
For more information on the Big Weekend, please visit: www.cambridge.gov.uk/summer
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For general press information relating to the Olympic Torch Relay, please contact:
Toby Venables, Olympic Torch Relay Media Liaison
T: 07714 550506
toby.venables@cambridge.gov.uk
For additional comment, please contact:
Cllr Rod Cantrill – Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places
T: 07919 103865
Cllr Zoe Moghadas – opposition spokesperson on Arts, Sport and Public Places
T: 07813 700986
Liz Bisset – Director of Customer and Community Services, Cambridge City Council
T: 07711 058670
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