Well I'm already looking forward to it and thinking about where I will

go to see it and I am a local too. I have been to see the Tour in

several places in the UK and in France.



Before we all die of "tour rage" let's see what arrangements are

actually put in place to allow people to travel. Let's see what

advance notice and how loud the publicity is about the event before

deciding that the general public in East London are incapable of

coping for a few hours because a few roads are closed for a few hours.



It is usually possible for the public to cross at defined crossing

points until about 60-90 minutes before the race arrives. An advance

processsion of sponsors' vehicles runs ahead of the main race. I would

expect bus routes to be split so they run in sections either side of

crossing points with people transferring via pedestrian crossings. Yes

it will be a pain but if it is done properly it should work.



I rather suspect that roads will reopen well before 1800 but TfL will

be cautious as you cannot predict events on a race like the Tour nor

the weather. As soon as the peleton and "broom wagon" have passed

through an area then I expect the crowds will disperse and TfL / local

authorities / police will reopen the roads quickly. Motorists will

have to cope with local diversions.



I think you are underestimating the extent to which people will wish

to view this event and that includes the schools right along the

route. The long standing tradition in France is for the passing of Le

Tour to be an excuse for a party but perhaps you'll be in the "party

pooper" category?



I am afraid I do not understand the raging contempt people have for an

event if they can't get out of their house for a few hours. The

reaction from people in Surrey is somethng I just don't get given the

ability to plan around the event months in advance and the guarantee

that anyone suffering an emergency will get the help they need.



--

Paul C

I'm surprised they're not closing the roads earlier. When I saw it in Kent in 2007 the roads were closed at midnight the night before and this was even for a place like Bethesden which was towards the end of the stage. We had the Olympic cycling events go past the end of our road and that was closed from around 5am, as it was for the Ride London event last August. We're getting that again this year, the local moaners are already out in force. Rumour is the Tour of Britain could be coming past as well. I need to get my plans laid for getting to the TDF. I don't know whether to go up to London by train, or drive round the M25

Neill