Welshpool car parks to be closed for Tour de France

Welshpool is facing a parking problem at the heart of its planning for the Tour de France after it was revealed this week that all the major car parks will be closed off.

The sheer size of next summer’s sporting extravaganza was shared with the Town Council at Wednesday night’s full meeting, with team areas, broadcasting & media, organisers and a Fan Zone all set to take up valuable town centre open space.

Diane Reynolds, Director of Economic Development & Growth at Powys County Council, told councillors that Day Three on July 4, 2027, of what is considered as the world’s biggest spectator sporting event, will launch from Berriew Street Car Park, before turning left up to the traffic lights and then left again up the main street.

It will then go left to Powys Park before taking in the sensational Powis Castle and gardens and then rejoining the main road at the bottom of Red Lane.

But such a roadshow demands space, and Ms Reynolds told councillors that the car parks at Berriew Street and Church Street will be off limits to public vehicles, and even a chunk of the Tesco Car Park is being used by the organisers.

After concerns were raised, she said that discussions were ongoing with Powis Estates to use the Showground area for mass parking, with a Fan Zone set to be set up at Park gate entrance.

She said that “several hundred-thousand’ spectators can be expected along the Powys part of the route, and reassured councillors that they were working with various tourism bodies to ensure that the area benefits from around £3.5 million in terms of direct economic impact.

She also said that pictures of the day will be beamed to 3.5 billion viewers worldwide, ensuring a lasting legacy for the Welshpool area “for years to come”.

“This is a fantastic opportunity, one that will be a big positive impact on your town and community,” she said.

Ms Reynolds added that a ‘caravan’ carnival-like procession will be passing through the town about an hour prior to 176 of the world’s best cyclists setting off at about 11am. She said that these are “quite a spectacle” with sponsors and organisers throwing freebies galore into the crowds lining the streets.

Ms Reynolds was thanked by Town Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, for her excellent presentation with the Town Council vowing to work hand-in-hand with Powys County Council over the coming 15 months.

Stage 3 of the 2027 Tour de France will start from Welshpool, head to Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells and Epynt before ending in Cardiff. Around 1.4 million spectators are expected to watch along the entire Wales stage.

Below shows the slide that was presented to the Town Council to show how Welshpool can benefit from hosting the Tour de France.