It was revealed last month that the world’s most iconic cycling race will arrive in the borough – passing through Eccleston and Eccleston Park – on Saturday, July 3, 2027 as part of the Kewsick to Liverpool stage.
So far, the exact route cyclists will take through St Helens to Prescot and then Liverpool has yet to be revealed, however, Eccleston councillors have offered an inside track into the roads the course is likely to involve.
In a community bulletin, circulated to residents, the Liberal Democrat councillors representing the ward state: “At this stage, we understand that the riders will travel along Bleak Hill Road, Millbrook Lane, Chapel Lane, Church Lane and then Burrows Lane into Prescot.
“We have asked the council to explore ways to involve our local schools, cycling groups, community groups, and residents in what should be a brilliant event.”
The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday, 2 July, with the opening stage finishing in Carlisle, before stage two travels from Keswick to finish on The Strand in Liverpool city centre.
It will see cyclists head south from Keswick in Cumbria on Saturday, travelling through Lancashire and the boroughs of Knowsley and St Helens, before finishing in a super sprint along Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.
The event will present a huge multi-million-pound boost to the tourism economy and will put a timely spotlight on the region’s active travel programme, which is delivering more than 600km of new cycling and walking routes.
Speaking at the time of the announcement, Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council Leader, said: “Here across St Helens borough, we are full of joie de vivre at the prospect of welcoming Le Tour next year.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for us all to show the beauty of our borough and warmth of our friendly residents to the countless fans who travel from across the world to watch the premier cycling event and it will bring a boost to our economy.
“It’s also a chance to inspire future generations of Mark Cavendish’s and Lizzie Deignan’s and encourage people to get active and create a lasting legacy of cycling for fun and fitness for years to come.”
To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Départs, visit www.letourgb.com