Countdown to the Paralympic Games

In this issue: Road closure update • Plan your journey during the Games Advice for businesses • Watching the Games

Road closure Countdown to the & diversion maps Paralympic Games inside

Paralympic Games Road Cycling in Local people can be part of this A training event was held in June with Brands Hatch, West Kingsdown is international event by purchasing a 166 athletes from 27 countries. The now only a few weeks away. ticket and watching the action from course was well received by both the This once-in-a-lifetime event is one inside Brands Hatch or watching for athletes and the International Cycling of the biggest competitions in the free on the roads outside. Union, describing it as “…the best Paralympic Games calendar – more Paralympic Road Cycling was paracycling venue of all time.” than 200 athletes from across the introduced into the Paralympic Kent County Council, Sevenoaks globe will be competing for 32 gold programme at the Seoul Games in District Council and the London medals from 5 to 8 September. 1988. The inspirational athletes Organising Committee of the Olympic Athlete training will also take place taking part this year will have a and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) on 3 and 4 September before range of disabilities such as visual are working together to inform competitions begin. impairments, cerebral palsy, limited affected communities of the impacts The track within Brands Hatch makes stability or limb amputations or of the event, including the road up approximately half of the course, dysfunctions and will use specially closures, to help them plan ahead including the start and finish, with the adapted bicycles, tricycles, tandems and, if necessary, make alternative other half of the circuit on local roads. or hand cycles. arrangements.

This newsletter aims to update local communities who may be affected by the Paralympic Games Road Cycling in West Kingsdown, including those outside of the Sevenoaks District. Road closure update A20 Approximately three miles of public

5 2 roads will form part of the Paralympic 2 Road closures and restrictions A20 A M2 Road Cycling course. Lo 0 - 3 to 8 September ndon Road A20 To make sure the event goes ahead M a in

o smoothly, and to keep everyone a

d safe, the route must5 be cleared of M 2 2 M 0 A2 0 d any vehicles and made sure it is a o R M rd o a f in s secure using barriers and stewards. n R y o E a d G o This will involve road closures and r s e H i 5 ll 2 parking restrictions in affected areas 2 A Restricted access for

t e e residents and businesses for the athlete training on 3 and 4 tr S h outside of competition times ig Access at all times for H September and for the Paralympic residents and businesses 5 22 A A Sc competitions on 5 to 8 September. 2 r a Eynsford 0 t c d h a d er a s Ro o L h an c R e t In advance of the races, roads need n Ha o s ti d a t ran to be closed to: install protective S B Road closed

barriers; allow for some minor n

d Brands Hatch

M highway works to be carried out; R

o 2

a 0

d erect rider safety signs; install rider Parking for

protection; clean the route; deploy F a spectators w

a with tickets m

traffic and crowd management R

o o a R

on race day d h s

A stewards and sport marshal h A t 2 u o 0 S volunteers and conduct security sweeps. All activities are crucial for

e n a L the safety and success of the races. L o h n s d A o n R The following roads will be o West a d closed from 4.30am on Monday Kingsdown

3 September to 12 midnight on A 2 0 Saturday 8 September: A20 at Gorse Hill – from just north e n a L

L h o s n A of Scratchers Lane to just south of d o n R o a the Brands Hatch entrance. d Scratchers Lane, Fawkham – from © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. 100019428, 2012. its junction with the A20 London Road throughout its length to its Bus information coaches that travel via West junction with Fawkham Road. Kingsdown will be escorted through Restricted access outside key Local bus operators have been the A20 road closures each morning event times will be provided for informed of the September road by security vehicles. They are being local residents and businesses. closures. treated as a special case because Part of Fawkham Road, West A revised timetable will be in many children will be travelling to Kingsdown – between Scratchers operation for the Arriva 478 route their new schools for the first time. Lane and a rear entrance to between West Kingsdown and The return journeys will however be Brands Hatch. Restricted access Swanley. Usual connections with the diverted via Otford or Longfield with outside key event times will be 477 (Dartford, Darent Valley Hospital arrival times 30 to 45 minutes later provided for local residents. and Bluewater) will not be possible. than usual. Emergency access to the area will Bus drivers will have copies of the NHS patients and social however be maintained at all times. timetable and Arriva will make copies care clients Details about the closures will be available at the library and at bus advertised using road signs, via the stops. NHS and social care providers are local media, at www.kent.gov.uk/ fully aware of traffic management For details of the revised bus times, london2012 and via the Kent County plans for the Paralympic Road call Arriva on 0844 800 44 11. Council’s highways Twitter feed: Cycling event and their services will @KentHighways From 3 to 7 September, school be delivered in the usual way. Plan your journey during the Games

M20 Junction 1 Road diversions and spectator

M25 parking - 3 to 8 September Junction 3 Key Closed roads Recommended diversion Alternative route for motorway

users via M20

F a

Parking for w junctions 1 & 2 k

spectators a m

with tickets R o on race days a d

M20 Junction 2

Free Park & Ride Kemsing for non-ticketed

spectators on race days

2 A

M25 Junction 5

If you travel to or go through West there will be an advisory diversion Getting to the Games Kingsdown via the A20 as part via Eynsford, Shoreham, Bat and A free shuttle bus will operate of your usual journey, please be Ball in Sevenoaks, Seal, Borough between Sevenoaks Railway Station mindful of the road closures and if Green and Wrotham. and Brands Hatch for spectators necessary amend your travel plans. For residents and businesses who with tickets. Pre-booked parking will Access to properties in West need to use the local lanes around also be provided at Brands Hatch for Kingsdown will remain open at all West Kingsdown, one-way systems those with tickets. times between 3 to 8 September may be in operation. Motorists People without tickets, who want as the roads will be open as usual are strongly advised to abide by to watch the action from outside from the Wrotham direction. the one-way system for their own Brands Hatch, are advised to use the benefit and the benefit of local free shuttle bus service at the top of Because of the closure of the A20, residents. Wrotham Hill. This is just off the A26 access to West Kingsdown will not near Wrotham and close to junction be possible from the Farningham Details will be available on the 2 of the M20. From there the shuttle direction. Signs will be in place to Sevenoaks District Council website bus will take spectators close to the show which areas are affected and www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/2012 race course. Those without tickets to identify the diversion routes. nearer the time. will not be able to park in Brands Local motorway connections Following the training event for Hatch and parking restrictions may will remain open as normal. It is athletes in June, all the traffic be operating in residential areas of recommended that drivers use the management plans are being West Kingsdown on race days. motorways where possible but for assessed to make sure traffic flows Please be aware that there will be those vehicles unable to do so, as effectively as possible. no public transport from Swanley Railway Station to Brands Hatch. Countdown to the Paralympic Games

Advice for businesses and Your chance to watch Policing the Games customers the Games If you are attending the event, Kent During the Paralympic Games, roads At the time of going to print, a Police want you to stay safe and and public transport may be busier limited number of tickets were still protect your property. than usual, which may impact on available for Brands Hatch on some On leaving your car make sure it is your business. of the competition days. Ticketed locked and the windows are shut. To help you prepare for the Games spectators can watch events from Look after your valuables; keep them period, LOCOG is advising businesses within Brands Hatch, including out of sight and zipped away. If you to visit the Get Ahead of the Games the start and finish line and the are carrying a bag, keep it in front website for support and advice: ceremonies. These cost £10 for of you. Avoid distractions and never www.getaheadofthegames.com adults and £5 for people under 16 leave your belongings unattended. Please continue to support your and over 60. To book tickets visit Anyone who would like more local businesses. If you are unsure www.tickets.london2012.com information on how they can stay about access arrangements contact You can also watch the events for safe can get advice on line at the business direct or call Kent free on the A20 and Scratchers Lane www.kent.police.uk/olympics County Council highways on part of the circuit using the free park You can also follow @kent_police on 08458 247 800. and ride in Wrotham Hill. Twitter or call Kent Police on 101. Businesses in West Kingsdown will be open as usual. Access will be via the A20 from the Wrotham direction. Businesses in Gorse Hill will be open as usual with access along the A20 from the Farningham direction. Special access arrangements are being made for businesses in and off Scratchers Lane. Refuse collections Sevenoaks District Council’s weekly refuse collections will continue as normal during the Paralympic Games. Collections in West Kingsdown will take place on Friday as usual but earlier in the day so not to impact on the competitions. Residents are asked to put their bags out by 7am. Local cycle rides With the Paralympic Games taking provide riders with support along Latest information place soon, residents are invited the way, whatever their age or You can get the latest information on to get on their bikes to join in a ability. the Paralympic Games and the road celebration of cycling with a locally Four levels of ride are available closures by visiting www.sevenoaks. organised, free cycle ride. ranging from easy to challenging. gov.uk/2012. During August local rides have been The rides will be fun, friendly and Information is updated regularly. organised in Sevenoaks, New Ash best of all, completely free. If you do not have internet access Green, Kemsing and Edenbridge. For details of these and other rides and wish to receive updates by post The rides will be headed by a British visit www.goskyride.com and please call 01732 227000. Cycling trained ride leader who will select the ‘ride finder’.

This publication is available in large print by calling 01732 227000. This leaflet can be explained in other languages by calling 01732 227414. Published July 2012