11 July 2012
Eastbourne is gearing up to welcome the momentous Torch Relay on Tuesday 17 July with live music and goodies along the route, and an all day celebration at Princes Park.
As the Olympic Flame passes through the streets of Eastbourne, residents will be able to celebrate this once in a lifetime opportunity, and cheer on the torch bearers both on the streets and via big screen in Princes Park, complete with live music and sports day fun.
The big screen will show live footage of the torch arrival as it approaches Eastbourne, followed by the journey of the 18 torch bearers passing through the town from 3.18pm onwards, with some convoy vehicles passing through earlier from 3pm. The torch relay will pass the festivities in Princes Park before waving goodbye as it continues onto Pevensey Bay with live footage of the onward journey on screen.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness at first hand the most spectacular event Britain will see for generations. This will be a day to remember and something to tell your kids, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.”
“For the best viewing areas, I would advise anywhere along the seafront from the Pier to Princes Park, plus the wide verges of Princes Road are ideal. The roads and car parks will be very busy, so please do get there early to ensure you don’t miss out.”
The celebration runs from 11am to 5pm with a full day of sporting action from Eastbourne Sports Centres who will run free activities including football, athletics, tennis, table tennis and basketball. Eastbourne Children’s Centres will be providing craft making activities for the under 5’s, including the opportunity to make your own flaming headdress, and the Play Ranger also brings toys and fun activities covering all younger age groups.
A live roadshow will feature music, fun and games with live band performances, street dancers, catering stalls and audience members can even join in the fun and appear on the big screen themselves.
Children at local schools and nurseries have been busy making their own Olympic torches, flame shakers, maracas, flaming headdresses and hats with ‘how to’ guides still available on the website for all people to make and do.
The torch relay route begins in torch mode along Kings Drive, Lewes Road, Upper Avenue, Cavendish Bridge, Ashford Road, Susan’s Road, Seaside Road, Cavendish Place, Marine Parade and Royal Parade, passing by the festivities at Princes Park.
The last part of the route will see the torch travel along Princes Road with wide grass verges either side giving great opportunities for visitors and residents to come along and watch. At the end of Princes Road the torch will head along Pevensey Bay Road and will finish its Eastbourne torch mode visit at 16:35 at MonarchGardens opposite the CrumblesRetailPark.
An average of 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Updates on the Day:
VisitEastbourne will be posting live updates and behind the scenes information throughout the day facebook.com/visiteastbourne and twitter.com/visiteastbourne, from best viewing and parking areas, to photos of crowds along the route.
The Torch Relay Route:
15:18 Kings Drive (starts junction of Kings Ave)
15:23 Lewes Road
15:28 Bedfordwell Road
15:29 Upper Avenue
15:33 Cavendish Place
15:33 Ashford Road
15:35 Susan’s Road
15:38 Seaside Road
15:39 Cavendish Place
15:41 Marine Parade
15:44 Royal Parade
15:54 - 16:14 break at Fisherman’s Green Car Park
16:14 Royal Parade
16:18 Pass Princes Park
16:22 Princes Road
16:32 Pevensey Bay Road
16:39 torch leaves Eastbourne at Monarch Gardens and joins convoy to Pevensey Bay
Please note that some convoy vehicles will arrive up to 10 mins before and after the torch.
Princes Park Programme 11am to 5.30pm:
All day Roadshow stage offers live music, fun and games
Have a go at sports with Eastbourne Sports Centres - football, athletics, tennis, table tennis and basketball
Eastbourne Play Ranger – fun activities for all children
11am – 3pm Eastbourne Children’s Centre – craft making for under 5’s (siblings up to age 11 also welcome) – make a flaming headdress
1pm Singer/guitarist Martyn Wong
2.15pm Street Styles 4 All – street dance performance
3pm Pop cover band – Anonymous
4.18pm Olympic Torch passes the park
4.30pm Pop & rock covers with Natterjack
Along the Torch Route:
Look out for some great music and sponsors giveaways along the route including:
Seaside Road (o/s Gordon Busbridge) - Christopher Foster Rock n Roll
Pier Head - The Pentacle Drummers
Seahouses Square (Marine Parade) - Comedian Jimmy Cricket & the Mowbray Hotel
- Lloyds TSB
Important Traffic Information:
The arrival of the torch will bring about considerable traffic disruption between 3pm and 4.35pm, with roads along each section of the route closing approximately 20 minutes prior to the arrival of the torch. Stagecoach Buses are also expecting significant delays, diversions and disruptions and are advising customers to allow additional time for journeys.
Restricted parking will also be in operation along the left hand side of the roads along the route, from 7am on Tuesday, with any illegally parked cars towed away. For safety reasons, the section of Seaside Road, running between Susan’s Road and Cavendish Place junctions will have parking restrictions on both sides of the road.
Car Parking:
Free car parking will be available at Five Acre Field (opposite Princes Park), however usual rates apply at existing seafront car parks, and drivers are urged to arrive at least an hour before the torch arrival. Parts of Fisherman’s Green Car Park will be in use by the torch convoy and will offer only limited parking.
Latest arrival time for seafront car parks (one hour before torch passing by) is as follows:
Treasure Island car park 14:45
Fisherman’s Green Car Park 14:55 (limited parking)
FortFun car park 15:15
Scaffolding:
Any local businesses using scaffolding along the route have been requested to remove the scaffold in time for the relay, with Highways Inspectors and Metropolitan Police inspecting the route in the lead up to, and during the day.
To volunteer as a steward or perform along the route email events@eastbourne.gov.uk or call 01323 415442.
For more information, ‘how to’ guides and a route map visit the website.
