Road safety warning ahead of Tour of Britain

Drivers are being urged to take extra care on Lincolnshire's roads as the Tour of Britain comes to the county.

Stage one of the race will start and finish in Lincoln on 2 September, while the following day cyclists will compete on a route between Boston and Skegness.

Simon Outen-Coe, communications manager at the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said the event could inspire more people to take up cycling and attract riders from outside the county.

"It may well encourage more cyclists to come into the county so we'll need to be aware that there may be more around," he said.

Outen-Coe said: "It's great that it's coming to Lincolnshire. It's a great opportunity to see what Lincolnshire has to offer to those who aren't familiar with the county.

"We have some fantastic roads, certainly for cyclists. There's going to be some real challenges there."

During the race, the roads along the route will be closed to traffic.

But Outen-Coe anticipates there will be people who wish to replicate the route for their own enjoyment.

He urged all road users to follow the Highway Code, reminding motorists to give cyclists enough room when overtaking.

He also said cyclists should adhere to guidance on riding safely on the roads, including when travelling in groups.

"Some of our roads are quite small, particularly our country lanes so there has to be a degree of pragmatism," he said.

"It's really important that we are just considerate of people's needs."

Outen-Coe also highlighted the state of some of Lincolnshire's roads as a result of the dry spell.

Chris Nagel, 40, was enjoying a bike ride from his home in Wainfleet along Thorpe Bank when he discovered a crack in the road measuring "around half a metre deep".

Shaun Butcher, of Lincolnshire County Council, said the authority was "aware of the issues mentioned" and would "fix them in accordance with our policies".

Outen-Coe said: "We've had a long dry period now, it is doing damage to road surfaces.

"Cyclists may be out a bit further than you'd want them to be as a motorist but you've got to bear in mind that the edges of the roads might be cracking from the weather we've had."

He added: "Ultimately, as the bigger vehicle, you'll have more responsibility for keeping the more vulnerable road users safe."

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