The Olympic Torch will pass through the historic heart of Charnwood when the iconic Flame visits the Borough, it has been revealed.
The detailed route has now been released which shows how the Torch will start its Charnwood journey at Quorn Station before travelling to Loughborough University, the town centre and out through the centres of Hoton and Wymeswold.
It will take in quintessential Charnwood landmarks such as the Great Central Railway, the Sock Man, the university’s state-of-the-art training facilities used by many Team GB athletes, and some of the Borough’s picturesque village centres.
Residents are being invited to line the relay route to cheer on Torchbearers, some of whom have been selected from Charnwood communities.
Councillor Paul Harley, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: “It is an absolute privilege and honour for our Borough to be involved in the Olympic Torch Relay and I’m sure residents will help give it a warm Charnwood welcome.
“While the relay helps to put Charnwood on the world map, it more importantly brings the Games closer to our communities and gives everyone the chance to play their part in history.
“It would be brilliant if everyone could line the relay route to show their support for the Games and for Team GB, many of whom are from Loughborough.”
Councillor David Snartt, the Council’s Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Being able to cheer on the Olympic Torch through our towns and villages will be an awesome spectacle and I sincerely hope the Olympic spirit can inspire residents to take up more sport in the Borough.
“It is rare for one event to have the power to bring entire communities together as one, but the Torch Relay is such an event. Come on Charnwood, let’s show our support and cheer on the Torchbearers!”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, added: “Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets.
“Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate and make it Charnwood’s moment to shine.”
Street-by-street details along the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route can be viewed in full at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay. As well as the street details, it will give proposed start times for when the Olympic Flame will travel through Charnwood.
Residents living in and around the Borough can find out when it will be travelling along their nearest high street, through their town square or past their local village shop.
July 3, 2012 - the Torch’s Charnwood Journey
08:47am Torch set to arrive at Quorn & Woodhouse Station where it will be collected by the first Torchbearer who will begin the Charnwood leg of the relay along Forest Road and Woodhouse Road before heading onto Loughborough Road. It will then be driven to Loughborough.
09:09am The Torch is set to arrive in Loughborough on the A6004 Ling Road and Epinal Way where it will be carried along to University Road and into the grounds of Loughborough University where it will snake its way around the campus.
10:35am The Torch will leave the University onto the A512 Ashby Road where it will make its way into Loughborough Town Centre via Market Street, Market Place, The Rushes and Baxter Gate before joining the A60 Nottingham Road where it will be driven to Hoton.
11.20am The Torch will arrive on Prestwold Lane in Hoton and travel through the village centre before joining the A60 Rempstone Road where it will be driven to Wymeswold for the final leg of its Charnwood journey
11:30am The Torch will arrive in Wymeswold on the A6006 Rempstone Road before visiting Far Street and East Street before being driven out of the Borough towards Asfordby
Courtesy of the Loughborough Echo