UCI Cycling championships: Falkirk Council plans to spend £300k repairing potholes for cycling event

The UCI Cycling championships are billed as the largest cycling world championships ever, involving over 8000 competitors from 152 countries.

It is expected that they will attract more than one million spectators in total and council officers believe it will be a great opportunity for Falkirk to promote the local area internationally.

While Glasgow is hosting the event, several races are taking place across Scotland, including the Men’s Elite Road Race on August 6, which will pass through Falkirk as part of a 277km route.

Falkirk’s share of the route is 52km taking it through several towns and villages – including Falkirk, Camelon, Denny and Bonnybridge – between 10.30am and 11.15am.

A report going to Falkirk Council’s executive next week shows that improvements will be required to road surfacing along the route of the race within the council boundary.

Eight sections of road on the race route were already due to be upgraded as part of Falkirk Council’s annual capital road resurfacing programme. However, a joint inspection with Falkirk Council and the lead route planner for UCI highlighted six additional areas in Bainsford, Carronshore, Falkirk, Camelon, Bonnybridge and Fankerton, that need to be brought up to standard.

According to the report, the remedial works identified are a combination of full carriageway resurfacing, permanent patching, and crack sealing. The total cost of these additional works is estimated at approximately £300,000.

Routine maintenance will also be required on the race route including gully cleaning, roads, sweeping, verge maintenance, overhanging vegetation and sign cleaning.

Officers plan to use remaining funding from the Economic Recovery Fund to cover these additional costs.

The report states: “Given the worldwide coverage of the men’s elite road race, this event has the potential to attract visitors to the Falkirk area, encouraging tourists to visit the many visitor attractions locate within the authority.”

It also pledges that the council will work with the organisers to make sure local communities are well informed about any disruption on the day.

Approximately 170 riders will be taking part, including many of the world’s top cyclists who also participate in events such as the Tour De France and the Olympic Games. Around 60 support vehicles will also be in convoy following their riders.

The report will be discussed at a meeting of Falkirk Council’s executive on Tuesday, May 9. The meeting starts at 10 am and will be livestreamed on the council’s YouTube channel.