Catch the Cycle Race By Train
Severe traffic delays are expected on roads throughout the North East of Suffolk on Wednesday 15 June as the Aviva Woman’s Tour races through the area. As the route runs through Lowestoft, Oulton Broad, Beccles and Halesworth, a great way to catch the excitement of the famous cycle race is to arrive by train using East Suffolk Line services. With numerous road closures, rolling road blocks and delays of up to 40 minutes possible, local rail services provide a great alternative to the predicted disruption.
Timings for the race are approximate therefore you are strongly recommend to arrive early and take the opportunity to enjoy some of Suffolk’s best Market Towns, the town centre or seafront at Lowestoft or the picturesque delights of Oulton Broad before finding your place to watch the riders as they speed through the area.
The race passes through Halesworth at around 10.17 in the morning and northbound trains from Ipswich arrive at 08.31 & 10.10. Southbound trains from Lowestoft arrive in Halesworth at 07.58 and 09.41. The race goes along the A144 and the Thoroughfare which are just a few minutes walk from the station.
To view the race in Lowestoft, a ten minute walk south from the station across the bascule bridge brings you to Parade Rd South or Horn Hill (both near KFC). Riders are expected to pass through here around 11am. Trains from Ipswich arrive in Lowestoft at 09.06 and 10.43. If you are travelling via the Wherry Lines from Norwich, services arrive in Lowestoft at 08.41, 09.32 and 10.50.
At Oulton Broad the race is expected to head down Cotmer Rd at around 11.05 and turns onto the A146 Beccles Road. Oulton Broad South Station is opposite the route with northbound trains arriving at 08.56 and 10.35, trains from Lowestoft arrive at 09.13 and 10.13.
To catch the riders as they speed through Beccles, estimated at around 11.25am, northbound services from Ipswich arrive at 08.46 and 10.25, with southbound services from Lowestoft arriving at 09.22 and 10.22. It’s a short walk from the station at Beccles into the town centre where you can watch the race fly through Smallgate, Saltgate, The Walk and Ballygate.
An hourly service operates on the East Suffolk Line so your return journey allows you to both explore and enjoy more of this beautiful part of Suffolk. Tickets for all services on the East Suffolk Line can be bought on board on the day, for advanced tickets and train information please see www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk