ROLLING road closures throughout the Tour of Britain will ensure the safety of 102 riders from top international teams.

The roads will only close for the time it takes to let the race through, minimising traffic disruption.

Some 56 motorcyclists, including police and civilian escorts, will accompany riders to block side roads and oncoming traffic.

Taunton town centre will be a hub of activity all day as it is hosting the race finish, and the following roads in the town will be closed to all non-event traffic from 3am until approximately 7pm: Corporation Street, Tower Street, Castle Green, Castle Way, High Street (from Espresso), Fore Street, North Street, Hammet Street, Magdalene Street, Lower Middle Street, Middle Street, Bridge Street, The Bridge, Church Square, Foundry Road and Whirlygig Lane.

Temporary one-way systems will also be in place from 3am until 8pm in Park Street (westward), The Crescent (southward) and the Wood Street area.

As the race approaches the town, from approximately 2pm, the following roads will be closed: Canon Street from the junction of St James Street to its junction with Magdalene Street; Priory Avenue from its junction with St James Street to Augustine Street; Station Road from its junction with Bridge Street to Belvedere Road; Staplegrove Road from its junction with Greenway Road to its junction with Station Road; Bindon Road between its junction with Hudson Way and Staplegrove Road.

Parking restrictions will apply on Staplegrove Road all day, and the Whirligig Lane and Castle Green car parks will be closed. The Canon Street and Coal Orchard car parks will be open, but access will be restricted as the race approaches Taunton.

In Porlock, a park-and-ride service will operate every half-hour between 9am and 11.45am from the Holnicote National Trust Field (TA24 8TJ) with stops at Porlock Village and the Toll Road. Return buses will operate from 1.30 to 5pm.