The Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations in Norwich
Where can I see the Torch Relay in Norwich?
On 4 July, the Torch will arrive at the boundary of Norwich at approximately 5:50pm. It will travel through Norwich neighbourhoods and into the city, passing the Millennium Plain (Forum) temporary screen and Chapelfield Plain Big Screen (Live Site) at 6:45pm to arrive at Chapelfield Gardens and light the cauldron at 6:50pm. The Olympic Torch will be relayed by local residents and celebrities.
The route inbound will be as follows:
5.57pm Aylsham Rd A1402, 6.22pm Waterloo Road, 6.22pm Magpie Road, 6.24pm Edward Street, 6.26pm Pitt Street, 6.28pm Duke Street, St 6.33pm Andrews Street, 6.34pm Exchange Street, 6.36pm Gaol Hill, 6.37pm St Peters Street, 6.38pm Millennium Plain, 6.38pm Theatre Street, 6.39pm Malthouse Road, 6.40pm Chantry Road, 6.45pm Chapelfield East, 6.46pm Chapelfield North, 6.48pm Chapelfield Gardens, 6.50pm Celebration stage.
On 5 July, the Olympic Torch will be lit on the battlements of Norwich Castle as the five Olympic colours are trailed down the walls by abseilers. The first Torchbearer on 5 July will be Giles Long, a retired British paralympian swimmer.
Welcomed by the sound of the bells ringing, the Torchbearer will run through the Cathedral grounds to the River Wensum, where the Norwich Philharmonic Chorus will be singing.
The Flame will be rowed across the river at Pulls Ferry in a decorated old-style skiff, escorted by Norwich rowing clubs with blades held aloft. A small flotilla of canoes and boats will follow the flame to Bishop Bridge as it travels along Riverside leaving Norwich via Ketts Hill and St Williams Way on its journey out of Norwich.
The route outbound will be as follows:
6.55am Norwich Castle, 6.58am Castle Meadow, 7am Agricultural Hall Plain, 7.01am Upper King Street, 7.03am Queen Street, 7.04am The Close, 7.05am Ferry Lane, 7.08am Pulls Ferry, rowed across the river to 7.19am Riverside Rd, 7.22am Bishop Bridge Road, 7.23am Ketts Hill, 7.27am Plumstead Road, 7.36am St Williams Way, Yarmouth Rd A1242.
What does the Torch Relay look like?
The entire Torch Relay comprises more than a dozen vehicles. It will start with an activation convoy, which features sponsor vehicles, a police vehicle and a shuttle bus to drop off the Torchbearers. Promotional staff will be giving out freebies such as keepsakes people can wear or wave. They will be doing this on the left hand side of the street.
Approximately six minutes behind, the Flame convoy will follow. Ahead of the Torchbearers, there will be a media truck. The Torchbearers will carry the Flame at their own pace, each covering a distance of around 300 metres. Police motorbike outriders and a shuttle bus to pick up the Torchbearers will also form part of this convoy.
What time does the Chapelfield Gardens celebration site open?
The site opens at 4pm on the 4 July. There will be recorded music until 5pm when the Olympic stage show starts. The show will last until 7:30pm.
What time does the Chapelfield Gardens celebration site close?
After the stage show closes at 7:30pm there will be a band in the bandstand which will play until 8:15pm. The site will be closed by 8:30pm.
Can I book a space on Chapelfield Gardens celebration site?
No. The celebration site is a non ticketed event and we are unable to reserve any spaces on this. This will be on a first come first served basis. Once the site is full we will restrict numbers.
Can I see the Olympic stage show anywhere else in the city?
Yes. We are setting up a big screen at the Forum and will be showing the Olympic stage show live on this screen.
Is there a disabled viewing area?
Yes. At Chapelfield Gardens there will be a disabled viewing area accessed by Gate 2 in the corner near Chapelfield car park entrance. A viewing area along the route will be available on St Peters Street pavement by City Hall Registrar's door. These will both be available on a first come first served basis.
Will the Torch Relay cause traffic delays?
Yes. We will try to minimise this as much as possible and do apologise for any disruption, but cities which have already hosted the Relay have experienced traffic delays of up to 30 minutes, or more if particularly large volumes of traffic are encountered due to the event. This may also affect roads that are not directly on the route if traffic builds up.
Will there be road closures?
There will be a rolling road closure as the Olympic Torch Relay travels along its route, inbound on 4 July and outbound on 5 July. Some city centre roads will also have fixed road closures on 4 July. Find information on the road closures.
Will there be barriers on the route?
No. Barriers will not be in place on the route except in areas in the city centre where we need to create a corridor for the Torchbearer.
What else is happening in the city?
We are providing a lot of street entertainment in the city from 5pm until 10.15pm and a large 3D video projection onto the Castle which will be showing a spectacular five minute show every 10 minutes from 10.30pm to 11.30pm.
We have an
interactive map on our website which has a lot of information on what is happening around the city.
Where can I park?
Car parks
Most car parks will remain open and we are expecting car parks to fill quickly in the city. Chantry Car park will be closed and it is likely that there will be restricted access to The Forum car park between 4pm and 8.30pm. There may be some restrictions in other car parks when the Relay goes by.
Motorbike parks
St Peters Street and Bethel Street motorbike parks will be closed.
Street parking
Most street parking on the route of the Torch will be suspended for the Relay.
Will there be public transport?
Yes. All buses will be running. Additional park and ride services will be provided.
Buses: temporary bus stops for all street departures affected by the road closures 3.30pm to 7pm on Surrey Street and All Saints Green (outside John Lewis); from 7pm buses depart from Norwich Bus Station.
Park and Ride: Extra park and ride services will be be provided for this event.
Last buses to Harford, Airport and Sprowston will leave the city at 8.30pm, with sites remaining open until 9pm. Extra park and ride services will run until 11pm to Thickthorn.
First and Konect bus services: the normal weekday bus timetable will operate throughout the event.
Where can I find out more information?
If you would like to ask any questions or get further information, please contact:
- We have an interactive map on our website.
- You can join us on facebook: Norwich City Council Events.
- or follow us on twitter @EventsNorwich
- We have printed programmes which are available from local tourist information centres and will be distributed on the day.
- If you are a Norwich City Council resident you should have received our events guide in May and this has the programme in it.