Roadshows are to be staged so businesses can be make the most of the first ever Tour de Yorkshire when it comes to Huddersfield.
It will pass through Huddersfield on Sunday, May 3.
The roadshows, giving feedback from last year’s Grand Depart, essential information about licenses, events and trading, will be on Monday, February 9 at St Bartholomews Parish Church Hall, Meltham; Wednesday, February 11 at Slaithwaite Conservative Club and Thursday, February 12 at Holmfirth High School.
Free places can be booked at www.kirklees.gov.uk/letour.
The council will also be running residents' roadshows in March, with further details to be published later.
Kirklees Council leader David Sheard said: “Although not on the same scale as last summer’s Grand Depart, the Tour de Yorkshire is still an international event coming to our area and we’re keen to make sure that our residents and businesses can make the most of it, if they wish.
“When Welcome to Yorkshire approached us for permission to use roads in Kirklees for their new race, we were happy to agree.
"And while they’ve been clear from the outset that they expect around a third of the audience which the Grand Depart generated, we expect that Kirklees residents will no doubt be excited to hear that they can once again catch a glimpse of cycling’s big international names on the streets of Holmfirth, Meltham and Slaithwaite.”
Looking back - here are 20 things you'd only see in Yorkshire during the Tour de France!
Although enthusiasm for the event is expected to be considerable, the council is keen to dispel comparisons to last year’s Tour de France Grand Depart – particularly in relation to spectator numbers, disruption and cost.
The race is private and will not be paid for by Kirklees Council – costs are to be met by start and finish destinations, private sponsorship and other funding.
Around 250,000 people lined the Kirklees leg of the Grand Depart last summer; and although spectator numbers for May’s race are predicted to be much lower, the King of the Mountains climb from Slaithwaite to Scammonden is expected to be popular.
There is no publicity caravan so disruption to road users is minimal, and there is no blanket closure of the route for hours at a time.
Cyclists are accompanied by police motorcycle outriders who halt traffic temporarily, meaning most of the route and adjoining roads can remain open, although popular spots may be closed longer for spectator safety. Some short stretches may have short-term parking restrictions on the day.
The race will enter the district from Cawthorne at Upper Denby and continuing to Holmfirth, where it turns on to Greenfield Road and heads towards the centre of Meltham. Leaving the Holme Valley behind, the race joins Manchester Road at Marsden and turns back towards Slaithwaite, passing through the village and out on Clough Road to Bolster Moor and Waller Clough to join New Hey Road at Scammonden. Riders head towards Buckstones, before turning right over the iconic M62 motorway bridge and heading off into Calderdale.
