BUSINESSES and residents are being advised to prepare for a number of road closures when the first Bolton Community Half Marathon is held next month.

About 1,000 people are expected to take to the streets of the borough for the race on Sunday, September 4, which is being organised by the Horwich-based Mad Bull Events team.

The 13.1 mile route will start and finish in the historic setting of Le Mans Crescent in the town centre.

After setting off, runners will leave the town centre via Chorley New Road, then drop down onto the Middlebrook trail.

The route will take in a loop of Lostock and Westhoughton before returning into town via the same route.

In order for the event to operate safely, a number of roads will be required to close for the duration of the race.

The longest road closures will be in place in the town centre, from 6am to 4pm on the day, and include: Ashburner Street; Howell Croft North and South; Le Mans Crescent; Victoria Square; and small sections of Deansgate.

Other parts of Deansgate will be closed from 9.30am to 1.30pm, along with Knowsley Street, Bark Street and Chorley Street.

Traffic will be prohibited on the following roads from 9.30am to 1pm: Chorley New Road from Chorley Street to Overdale Drive; Overdale Drive to the crossroads at Oak Coppice, and cycles on the Middlebrook Trail.

Heading towards Horwich, the Middlebrook Trail will be closed from 9.30am and 1pm; and Regent Road (Rumworth Hill to Regents Hill) will be closed from 9.45am to 11.15am. The following roads will be closed from 10am to noon: Wingates Lane and Church Lane.

Closures will be in place at Church Street, Westhoughton (A6 Manchester Road to Central Drive); and on Central Drive (from Church Street to Bolton Road) and Bolton Road (from Central Drive to the A6 Manchester Road) from 10am to 12.15pm. From around 10am to 12.30pm St John’s Road and Chew Moor Lane will also be closed.

A full map detailing the road closures has been issued to local residents and business owners so that they can prepare, and road marshals will be present on the day to allow managed access when it is safe to do so.

All other motorists are advised to find an alternative route where possible.

Bolton Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Ebrahim Adia, added: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Bolton Community Half Marathon to the borough and wish everyone good luck for the day.

“We want to make sure this event is a success and as a result it is necessary for some roads to be closed off to traffic to ensure runners’ safety.

“We would encourage people to plan their travel in advance and would like to thank residents, businesses and motorists for their co-operation and patience on the day.”

The Mad Bull team — made up of pals Stewart Jones and Colin Rigby — have said that if next Sunday’s event goes well, they will look to bring a full marathon event back to Bolton for the first time in 30 years.

For more information on the marathon and a route map, visit www.boltoncommunitymarathon.com.