(Information courtesy of the News & Information Team - www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/news )
Olympic Torch route through Wolverhampton
The route that the Olympic Torch will take through Wolverhampton as it makes it way to London for the 2012 Olympic Games has been unveiled.
Wolverhampton has been chosen to be part of the Olympic Torch Relay on Saturday June 30, 2012, giving the city's residents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome the Olympic Flame to the region.
People will be encouraged to line the streets of the city and take part in a series of special events which are taking place as the Torchbearers carry the Flame through the Black Country.
The six-and-a-half mile route through Wolverhampton will see the Flame arrive at the Wolverhampton boundary from the Walsall direction at approximately 2.40pm and travel towards the city centre along the A454 Willenhall Road.
It will then join Horseley Fields before crossing the Ring Road, going briefly onto Bilston Street and turning right into Pipers Row.
Passing the new bus station at around 3.20pm, the Flame will be carried onto Lichfield Street and then along Victoria Street and Salop Street before leaving the city centre via Ring Road St Marks and St Johns.
It will then join the A4123 Birmingham Road at its junction with Ring Road St Johns at around 3.40pm and will head south east along what becomes the Birmingham New Road towards Dudley, crossing the Wolverhampton city boundary just after 4.15pm.
Wolverhampton is one of more than 1,000 villages, towns and cities through which the Flame will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers.
Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: "Over the years Wolverhampton has produced many sportsmen and women who have represented the city on the national and international stage, and it is a fitting tribute to them and to Wolverhampton that the Olympic Torch will be coming to the city on June 30.
"Although the 2012 Olympics are based in London, it will truly be a national event for everyone in the country to celebrate. It's great that Wolverhampton will be playing its part, not only on the sporting field but also by welcoming the Olympic Torch procession to the city."
He added: “I would encourage people from all over Wolverhampton, not just those who live along the route, to join in what promises to be a huge party for the whole city.”
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “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, they can start planning how they might celebrate and make it Wolverhampton’s moment to shine.”
David Moorcroft, West Midlands for 2012 Chair, added: "What fantastic news for the residents of Wolverhampton that they will have their opportunity to welcome the Olympic Flame on June 30.
“We encourage communities to start thinking now about how they will celebrate as the Olympic Torch Relay, a once in a lifetime experience for many of us, signals the approach of the London 2012 Olympic Games."
An average of 115 torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000-mile, 70-day journey around the UK. The route starts at Land’s End on May 19, 2012 and ends at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012, for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. People can see an interactive map of the route at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelaymap.
To find out more about the visit of the Olympic Torch to Wolverhampton, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/olympics2012.
Information courtesy of the News and Information Team - www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/news
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