HUNDREDS of parking spaces will be available at Verdin Park next month to cater for the crowds expected to flock to Northwich for the Tour Series.

The event will see the top men’s and women’s cycling teams from around the UK battling it out.

The Tour Series comes to town on Friday, May 12, and organisers have released details of street closures which will take place to allow the event to take place.

Phase one of the road closures will see London Road outside Waitrose close at 5am and remain closed for the rest of the day. The Waitrose car park will be closed to vehicles, although the store will remain open.

The gyratory across the Weaver bridges will remain open until 11am.

A temporary car park offering at least 500 spaces will be opened in Verdin Park, which cars must leave after the event at 9.30pm. Other car parks accessed from Leicester Street will remain open as usual.

Phase two will see Watling Street and Chester Way from Memorial Court to London Road close from 11am For the rest of the day it will not be possible to use the gyratory to travel west-east-west. To head across Northwich a diversion will be in place via the A556 bypass.

In addition Crum Hill and Sheaf Street will close. There will be some exit via Meadow Street for a period. After 3.30pm vehicles will not be able to exit here until after 9.30pm.

Phase three will see Chester Way from Lidl to Brio close from 3.30pm. The Lidl car park will be open as usual.

Meadow Street, Witton Street and Venables Road from Witton Street to Chester Way will also close.

The Memorial Court car park will be open, but can only be accessed via Percy Street. Percy Street will have parking suspended, and residents on this street should use an alternative location.

It is expected phase one will reopen by 11pm, and phases two and three by 10pm.

Victoria Club car park will close at 5pm on Thursday, May 11, and remain closed all day on Friday, May 12.

Gaynor Sinar, who owns Curtain Magic in The Bull Ring, said: “I can’t wait for the event, which is a fantastic way to showcase our great town.

“My business is right in the centre of the route, and although this will present some challenges on the day, I have received sufficient notice to enable me to mitigate the road closure on the day.

“The added benefit of additional car parking being brought forward at Verdin Park and next to Northwich Glass, in addition to the parking at Cumberland, the depot, Barons Quay and Memorial Court is great for the town and its traders.”