Full list of road closures announced as IRONMAN 2026 takes over Bolton next weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The official route and full list of road closures have been announced, as Bolton prepares to host the IRONMAN next weekend.

Bolton has been the proud home of the UK’s IRONMAN race since 2009, and the world-renowned triathlon is all set to take over the Greater Manchester town once again in a couple of weeks time – with participants and spectators in thousands all preparing to flock to all four corners of the borough to the catch the action.

People of all ages and abilities – even including kids – are training to take part in three different events across the weekend.

And, as is always the case, residents and road users are being urged to plan ahead.

Bolton Council says a series of temporary road closures are needed to ‘ensure the safety’ of competitors and spectators.

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Road closures are set to be the same as last year and will be in place for Night Run Bolton on Friday 5 June and IRONKIDS Bolton on Saturday June 6, before IRONMAN 70.3 then officially arrives on Sunday 7 June, extending from Pennington Flash in Leigh to Bolton, where Chorley New Road and the town centre will be most affected.

The town centre and Middlebrook retail park will be open as normal all weekend, but anyone driving into the town centre is advised to park at one of the car parks – which will be open as normal – rather than elsewhere or in the surrounding areas.

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Anyone heading to Middlebrook from Bolton is advised to use Wigan Road (A676 / A58), to Manchester Road / Chorley Road (A6), and then use De Havilland Way (A6027) to reach the retail park.

Full list of road closures for IRONMAN 2026

All weekend:

Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North, and Howell Croft South will be closed from 6am on Friday 6 June to 9am on Monday 9 June, due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.

Friday 28 June – Night Run:

  • Moor Lane, Deansgate, Knowsley Street, Chorley Street, Spa Road (eastbound), St Edmund Street, Helena Road, and Bridge Street will all be closed from 5:30-9pm.

Saturday 29 June – IRONKIDS:

  • Le Mans Crescent will be closed all day
  • Deansgate will be closed from 6am-5pm

Sunday 30 June 30 – IRONMAN 70.3:

  • St Helen’s Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane, Slag Lane, and Lowton Road will be closed from 6-10am
  • Wigan Road/Warrington Road (A573) will be closed from 6-10am
  • Bickershaw Lane, a short section of the A578, Nel Pan Lane, and Westleigh Lane will be closed from 6-10:45am
  • Atherleigh Way (A579) between St Helen’s Road and Kirkhall Lane, will be closed northbound only from 6-9:45am, and between Kirkhall Lane and the Talbot roundabout from 6-10:45am
  • Gibfield Park Way and Gibfield Park Avenue will be closed from 6-11am
  • North Road from the junction with Gibfield Park Avenue, Platt Lane and the A58 from Platt Lane to the Chequerbent roundabout will be closed from 6:30-11am
  • Park Road and Manchester Road (A6) will be closed westbound only from 7-11am
  • Chew Moor Lane / Tempest Road to Regent Road, and Regent Road to Chorley New Road, will be closed from 7-11:15am
  • De Havilland Way will be closed northbound from 7am-1pm
  • Victoria Road (A58) and Old Kiln Lane will be closed from 7am-1pm
  • Chorley New Road, from Beaumont Road to the Beehive Roundabout, will be closed eastbound from 7am-1pm but there will be access westbound throughout the day.
  • Chorley New Road, from Beaumont Road to Waterslea Drive, will be closed from 7am-1:30pm
  • Chorley New Road, from Waterslea Drive to St George’s Road (B6226), will be closed 7am-5:30pm
  • Chew Moor Lane, St John’s Road, Tempest Road, and Regent Road will be closed from 7-11:15am
  • Chorley Street, Bark Street, St Helena’s Road, Blackhorse Street, and Queen Street will be closed from 7am-3:30pm
  • Spa Road will be closed from 6am-6pm

“Facilitating events of this scale is not easy,” a spokesperson for Bolton Council explained ahead of the events arriving next weekend, “and it’s essential we put the health and safety of the participants and spectators as a priority.

“To ensure this requirement is met, temporary road closures will be put in place across the town, so we strongly urge residents and visitors to plan their trips with this in mind.”

Read more:

More information on the course and diversions to avoid road closures – including maps and timings – can be found on the IRONMAN website here.

Featured Image – David J H Sun (Wikimedia Commons)

Manchester reveals plans to ‘recognise and celebrate’ Armed Forces Day 2026

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Plans to mark Armed Forces Day 2026 in Manchester next month have been revealed.

As the country prepares to honour Armed Forces Day – which is taking place this year on Saturday 27 June – and show support for those who make up the Armed Forces community across the country, Manchester has revealed how our city will mark the annual event.

Armed Forces Day sees Brits commemorate and celebrate those who are currently serving troops, their families, serving reservists, veterans, and cadets. 

Manchester will also be paying tribute to the hundreds who have ‘fearlessly served’.

The day will begin in St Peter’s Square with a short ceremonial moment of reflection, led by Armed Forces personnel, offering those in attendance a chance to pause, remember service and sacrifice, and honour those who protect our freedoms.

The event will be attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, marking the city’s official tribute to the Armed Forces.

There will be live music throughout the day, with bands and performers.

On the day, there’ll also be a pop‑up military museum with artefacts, uniforms, and stories from across the services, as well as military vehicle displays, live demonstrations and performances, and a whole host of other family‑friendly activities and interactive displays to make the most of.

Visitors can also visit the dedicated armed forces display inside Manchester Central Library if they would like to learn more.

Read more:

Armed Forces Day 2026 takes place on Saturday 27 June, with commemorations to begin in Manchester city centre from 11am.

It’s a free event open to everyone, offering a chance to learn more about the Armed Forces, meet those who serve, and show your support.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

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