Excitement builds for Olympic torch arrival in Richmond (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Excitement builds for Olympic torch arrival in Richmond

1:51pm Monday 23rd July 2012 in News By Paul Teed

Hundreds of spectators will line the streets as runners carry the iconic Olympic torch through the borough tomorrow.

People who want to watch the relay on Tuesday, July 24, have been advised to go to open spaces and avoid roads with narrow pavements.

The torch will arrive in the borough as it crosses the Kingston border into Ham at about 9.50am.

The runners will follow a route along Upper Ham Road into Petersham Road and then head into Richmond town centre and past Richmond station.

They will then continue along Kew Road before crossing Kew Bridge at about 11.25am.

Richmond Council said spectators would be likely to get the best view from open spaces such as Kew Green and should avoid roads such as Hill Street and the Quadrant, which will get crowded very quickly.

People who live in the borough should try not to travel too far from their homes in order to minimise traffic disruption.

Organisers will close roads on and adjoining the route to allow the torchbearers to pass.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, strategic cabinet member for community, business and culture at Richmond Council, said: “We are really looking forward to hosting some of the Olympic events in our borough and are proud to be part of such a special event.”

For more information, visit www2.richmond.gov.uk/olympics/#einfo.

 

The torch bearers:

James Hardwick, 24, from Farnham

Katherine Filochowski, 28, from Twickenham

John Harding, 46, from Twickenham

Jacqueline Dixon, 63, from Feltham

Angela Wilson, 48, from Hampton

Gurpal Virdi, 53, from Hounslow

Keith Haworth, 64, from Twickenham

Barbara Kendall, 44, from New Zealand

Sarah Austin, 15, from Buckinghamshire

Lara Solabu, 25, from London

Francisco Baratta, 42, from Teddington

Mahavir Lavda, 23, from Hounslow

Jamie Ashton, 48, from Hertfordshire   

Wendy Epperson, 53, from the United States

Paul Woodham, 42, from Staines

Angela Ruggiero, 32, from Cambridge

Ian Muxlow, 34, from Northolt