A number of schools have been forced to close on Wednesday, due to disruption caused by the Tour of Britain.

The cycling event takes place between Saturday September 7 and Saturday, September 14, with Wirral hosting the fifth stage of the event on Wednesday, September 11.

The race will start and finish in the historic Birkenhead Park- a location synonymous with cycling in the North West for a number of years.

Riders will then leave Wirral via the historic Port Sunlight and race through Cheshire West and Chester, before returning through Heswall, Caldy and Hoylake.

They will then ride through the Birkenhead Park finish line and take in a loop through Seacombe, Wallasey and New Brighton.

The route will pass through the finish line within the park before completing a lap of Birkenhead and Wallasey, giving spectators three chances to see the race in action.

This 108-mile stage forms part of Wirral’s celebrations for its year as the Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture, in which it hopes to showcase the area’s history, heritage and coastline.

Schools confirmed to close include:

  • The Oldershaw Academy, Wallasey
  • Kilgarth School, Birkenhead
  • The Birkenhead Park School, Birkenhead - Inset day. Closed to students, but not staff.
  • Hilbre High School - closing at 1.15pm

Cycling has been a success in Wirral in recent times.

In May, Wirral hosted a round of the OVO Energy Tour Series for the first time, with Hamilton Square in Birkenhead welcoming elite men’s and women’s racing, attracting over 10,000 spectators.

Cllr Christine Spriggs, Wirral Council cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “This year Wirral is the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. We’ve got a hugely exciting programme of events lined up, and the OVO Energy Tour of Britain is the jewel in our crown.

“Wirral truly does have something for everyone and it’s no wonder our visitor numbers get bigger every year.

“[In May] We welcomed more than 10,000 cycling fans to Hamilton Square for a fantastic Tour Series event.

“I hope everyone who enjoyed that event, and thousands more, gets down to Birkenhead Park [on Wednesday] for another not-to-be missed event.

“It’s such an exciting time for our borough and we can’t wait to welcome the world’s best cyclists to Birkenhead Park.”

However, many roads will face disruption due to the event, details of which can be found here, and a number of locals thought this meant that Wirral’s hosting of the event is more trouble than it’s worth.

On a Wirral community group, the person said: “Just another waste of our taxes. [It] will not bring in any rewards or investment, will inconvenience everyone not interested and no doubt cause accidents.

“This little peninsula is too road locked as it is to cope with this type of disruption.”

Sharing their opinion, another person said: “What a waste of money … think how much hassle it will cause, at least they have sorted some roads out that wouldn’t have been done [otherwise].

However, a similar number were excited for the event to arrive in Wirral.

One local said: “Stop moaning and be glad it’s coming to Wirral. It’s not often we get a chance to show off our part of the country. I am sure emergencies will be catered for. It is one day.

On a lighter note, another local said: “I am looking forward to it because I don’t have to leave my house.”

A full list of road closures during the event can be found by clicking here