Information on Torch Relay

Newport will welcome the Olympic Torch to the city on Friday 25 May and will be the first Welsh city to welcome the Torch as part of its journey around the UK ahead of the London Olympic Games in 2012.

How can I join in?

The Torch Relay is free to watch and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Torch in the city. Residents and visitors are encouraged to line Newport’s streets and see the Torch pass through the city and cheer on the inspirational Torchbearers who will be carrying the flame.

Why is it coming to Newport?

The Torch Relay will visit more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages in the UK on its 70-day journey. 1,000 people will carry the Olympic Flame during the Torch Relay. Their personal stories will have the power to inspire millions of people watching around the world. The Torch Relay will start on 19 May and end on 27 July.

When is it happening?

The Torch Relay will visit Newport on Friday 25 May. Starting at Newport castle at 3.45pm it will go along Riverside Walk, under the steelwave and past the Riverfront Theatre. It will then go along Kingsway, Usk Way and onto Lower Dock Street, passing Ruperra Street, cross George Street andpassDumfries Place. It will then turn left onto Kingsway passing Ebenezer Terraceto joinCommercial Street travelling the length of the pedestrianised area to Westgate Square where it joins Stow Hill.

Residents will be able to see the Torch continueup Stow Hill passing Victoria Place, Kingshill Court, St Woolos Cathedral where it joins Friars Road, dropping down ontoWaterloo Road and turn right onto Cardiff Road where it will continue past McDonalds and Tesco into Maesglas. The Torch will go into convoy route at St Bride’s Gardens, this means that the Olympic Flame will not be on display. It will return to Torchbearer mode at the 30mph sign on Pencarn Way before stopping at Lloyds TSB. Following its visit, a torchbearer will take the torch from Lloyds TSB left onto Pencarn way and to the 40mph sign where it will return to convoy mode and travel along the A48 to Cardiff. (See map for the full route).

Where will be the best vantage points?
You will be able to view the Olympic Torch anywhere along the route, however, there will be entertainment before the relay outside the Riverfront Theatre. This will start at 1.30pm and end approximately 3.30pm. There will be dance demonstrations and street theatre.

The Torch Relay Route takes in a significant part of Newport city centre and the surrounding area. It is anticipated that the majority of spectators will look to congregate at the Riverfront area, the pedestrianised section of Commercial Street and Stow Hill. The entire Newport route of the Torch Relay has existing footways where spectators can view the event. Preferred viewing points will not be signed on the day and it is expected that spectators can and will find their own appropriate viewing locations.

A disabled viewing area will be situated between the corner of the Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centrecafe end and Riverside walkway. Access will be via the rear of theTheatre walkway adjacent to the Alacrity building.For further information, please contact the Events Team via the Contact Centre Tel: 01633 656656.

There is plenty of parking in Newport’s city centre and there is two hours free parking in Park Square and Cambrian multi-storey car parks. In Newport City Council pay and display car parks it is just 10p for a two hour stay.

Please note: the charge applies to two hour stays only.

In the city centre there is also the NCP car park on Queensway as well as the Kingsway car park located in the heart of the city.

Will there be any disruption?

There will be some disruption to the city during the period the Torch enters Newport at 3.45pm until it leaves at 5.30pm. Temporary road closures will be in place in the following locations:

·  Stow Hill from the junction with Havelock Street

·  Keynsham Avenue

·  Park Square

·  Palmyra Place

·  Victoria Place

·  Victoria Road

·  Hill Street

·  Charles Street

Roads will be closed for approximately 30mins while the Torch Relay and convoy pass through. Temporary signing will be erected closer to the Relay date advising of the date and time of the closures.

If you are travelling along the route of the Torch when it is Newport your journey may take longer than normal and you can expect delays, however, these will be kept to a minimum.