Line the streets when the Torch comes to town

Get ready to line local streets and give the Olympic Torch a right Royal Borough welcome as it passes through Maidenhead, Windsor and Ascot on Tuesday July 10.

That's the council's message as final preparations are made for the Flame on Day 53 of its historic 8,000-mile journey around the country.

Cllr Simon Dudley, cabinet member with responsibility for the 2012 Games, said: "The council has been working hard for many months to prepare for the Torch Relay and we want everyone to enjoy this big Olympic occasion. It's our chance to share the country's pride at hosting part of the greatest show on earth right on our doorstep.

"We can all join in - no tickets required. Friends, families, communities and colleagues can mark the event together by lining the streets as the Olympic Flame passes by and I am confident thousands of our residents of all ages will be there to cheer on the Flame."

So far millions of people from across Britain have supported the Torch Bearers on a journey that will end in the Olympic Stadium on Friday July 27 to mark the start of the 2012 Games.

For most of its journey the Flame is on board a vehicle convoy and out of sight. Only when it is being carried by Torchbearers is it in public view.

Maidenhead, Windsor then Ascot
Maidenhead's High Street and iconic bridge across the Thames, Windsor's town centre and Long Walk and the world-famous Ascot Racecourse are among the best local vantage points to see the Flame.

Visit www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/london2012_torch_relay.htm for full details , street by street maps and any last minute changes.

The first Torchbearer appearance in the Royal Borough is at Bisham just after 10am as the Flame enters Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre for a ticket-only event. It will next appear at Furze Platt Road (Pinkneys Farm entrance) in Maidenhead just before 10.50am when it will head along the good viewing area of Marlow Road, then into the town centre, reaching Maidenhead Bridge by 11.29am.

After a stop at Eton Dorney and then a visit to Slough the Flame will reach Windsor's Maidenhead Road (opposite Vansittart Road) at around 2.30pm before passing through the town centre - including the good viewing area at Arthur Road - arriving at the Castle by 2.45pm. Some 25 minutes later it will reappear at the top of the Long Walk for the straight run to the A308 where it goes back into convoy and heads into Surrey.

At around 4.25pm the Flame will return to the Royal Borough at London Road, Ascot, and will be carried along the High Street to the racecourse where there will also be a programme of family fun events. Entry to Ascot Racecourse will be free to the public (gates will open at 3pm and close at 7.30pm).

The Flame will leave the racecourse and continue its journey towards Bracknell at about 5.20pm and eventually reach Reading for its overnight stop.

Road closures kept to minimum
Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for highways, transport and environment, said that some road closures will be needed as the Flame journeys through the borough - but these will be kept to a minimum and for as short a time as possible.

Cllr Bicknell explained: "Our aim is to help make the Torch Relay day a thoroughly enjoyable occasion for everyone so we have been working to keep roads open as far as possible and allowing people freedom to select their viewing areas along the route. However, we have to keep public safety as a high priority so some road closures are needed and parts of the route will have barriers to protect both the Torchbearers and spectators."

Roads will close at least 30 minutes before the first convoy is due to arrive at each destination and are likely to remain so for up to 30 minutes after the Flame leaves. All closures will be well signed.

The council's advice to spectators is to get there early and use public transport where possible. However, to ensure the relay will be accessible to everyone there will be:

• free parking in council car parks in Maidenhead from 9am to 12 noon
  
• free parking at the Review Ground, adjacent to Windsor Castle's Long Walk, on Home Park and at Windsor Racecourse
  
• all Ascot racecourse car parks will be open and free from 2 to 7.30pm.

Share Torch day memories
The council wants to collect local memories and photographs of the Torch Relay. Send them to anne.dackombe@rbwm.gov.uk and the best will be posted on the council's website.

Torch Relay fact file

• 
  The hand over of the flame from one Torch Bearer to another is known as "the kiss".
• 
  90% of the population live within an hour's journey of being able to see the Torch Relay.
• 
  The torch Relay will travel 8,000 miles on its' journey from Lands End to London.
  
• 8,000 people nationwide have been chosen as Torch Bearers.
• 
  There isn't just one 2012 Torch there are 8,000. Every Torch Bearer has their own unique copy - each ignited from the other from a flame first lit in Greece, the home of the Olympics.
• 
  When the Olympic Games last came to Britain in 1948 there were 1,600 Torches - all made by local company High Duty Alloys, based on the Slough Trading Estate.

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