The Council is pleased to confirm that a capacity crowd will enjoy Luton’s Olympic Flame celebration event at Pope’s Meadow on Sunday.
All 12,000 free tickets have been distributed via a series of roadshows in and around Luton, and unfortunately no more are now available.
Lutonians are reminded however of their unique chance to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay as it makes its way through the town on both the evening of Sunday 8 July and in the very early morning of Monday 9 July.
On Sunday the Olympic Torch Relay in Luton starts in London Road at 6.12pm and progresses via Castle Street, George Street, Manchester Street, New Bedford Road and the Wardown Park pathway to Old Bedford Road and Popes Meadow.
On Monday 9 July the Torch sets out from St George’s Square at 6.39am, with entertainment not to be missed starting from 6.15am, and a high profile celebrity expected to be one of the torchbearers (subject to confirmation).
Monday’s Olympic Torch Relay route in Luton then progresses via Manchester Street, George Street, Castle Street, Chapel Viaduct, Stuart Street and into Dunstable Road, continuing along the A505 as far as its junction with Atherstone Road where this leg ends.
After a short session in convoy to cross under the M1 at junction 11, the next leg of the Olympic Torch Relay sets off from the A505 Dunstable Road, at its junction with Stanton Road, Luton, and progresses via the Skimpot Road roundabout into Dunstable along the A505 (Luton Road).
Predicted times and route (subject to change) are:
Sunday 8 July
6.12pm: Torch sets off from London Road, Stockwood Park entrance, opposite Cutenhoe Road
6.20pm: London Road, traffic signal junction with Windsor Street
6.27pm: Castle Street roundabout
6.29pm: George Street pedestrian zone
6.32pm: St George’s Square
6.42pm: Wardown Avenue (Love Lane)
6.46pm: Leg ends at Popes Meadow
Monday 9 July
6.15am: Entertainment in St George’s Square
6.39am: Torch sets off from St George’s Square into Manchester Street and George Street
6.43am: Castle Street
6.52am: A505 roundabout junction with Hatters Way
6.58am: Dunstable Road – Birch Link
7.07am: Dunstable Road junction with Kingsway
7.13am: Dunstable Road junction with Waller Avenue
7.18am: Dunstable Road junction with Leicester Road traffic lights
7.19am: Leg ends at Dunstable Road junction with Atherstone Road
7.22am: Torch departs A505 Dunstable Road at junction with Stanton Road
7.29am: Torch reaches Skimpot Road roundabout and continues into Dunstable via the A505 (Luton Road).
Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of the Council, said: “The Olympic Torch Relay represents the traditional start of celebrations for every Olympic Games and we are very excited now that its arrival in Luton is fast approaching.
“This is in all probability our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome the Olympic Torch to Luton and support its inspirational torchbearers. I am delighted that Luton is seizing its moment to shine and the chance to celebrate in style.”
The Olympic Flame celebration event at Popes Meadow will enable thousands of people to share in the Olympic spirit and enjoy a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three presenting partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.
Star performers include British alternative rock band ‘Young Guns’ and Britain’s Got Talent street dance duo ‘Twist and Pulse’.
Also scheduled is local entertainment including Luton’s Moment To Shine Choir, who will be performing an inspirational remake of the song Shine (originally recorded by Aswad), and Cantores, the Luton Music Service girls’ choir.
Towards the end of the two-hour show the last torchbearer of the day will light a celebration cauldron on stage so that everyone can see the Olympic Flame.
Motorists are advised of temporary road closures during the Olympic Torch Relay, which will be lifted as soon as possible.
For up-to-date information on the day follow us on Twitter @Lutoncouncil using hashtags #OlympicTorch and #LutonFestival or like 'love luton 2012 festival' on Facebook.