CONSULTATION is under way ahead of a major one-day cycling event which is expected to bring parts of Gwent to a standstill for up to nine hours.

More than 15,000 cyclists are set to pass through Caerphilly county borough on Sunday, June 14, and the local authority wants residents’ views on the proposed road closures, after cabinet members voted in favour of further public consultation last month.

Velothon Wales is being promoted by the Welsh Government and involves a 140km route along with a shorter 50km route. Significant sections of both routes would pass through Gwent, and Caerphilly county borough, throughout the day.

Organisers require the route to be completely closed to traffic for significant periods of time, in some cases for up to nine hours or more.

The main route enters the county borough at Hafodyrynys, and then follows the A472 before proceeding up the Newbridge bypass, through Maesycwmmer, along the A469 Llanbradach bypass to the ‘Cedar Tree’ roundabout, along the A468 to Bedwas Bridge roundabout, into Caerphilly town centre along Bedwas Road and then up through the town and over Caerphilly Mountain to Cardiff.

The main ‘mass participation’ event would then be followed by an elite race in the afternoon which would follow the same route, but includes additional laps of Caerphilly Mountain which will involve wider road closures in and around the town centre.

A Caerphilly council spokeswoman said: “The scale of the road closures required has the potential to cause significant disruption and inconvenience to residents, the local businesses community and other stakeholders who will all need to consider and plan for.”

If you have any observations or comments about the proposed road closures You can submit your views in writing on the road closures by Friday, April 24, to Communications Unit, Penallta House, Tredeomen Business Park, Hengoed, CF82 7PG or email communicationsunit@caerphilly.gov.uk The Velothon Wales website (www.velothon-wales.co.uk) features more detail about the route and the road closures that will be in place on the day. For more information about the event in general, contact them on the Velothon Customer Service helpline - 02921 444880 or route@velothon-wales.co.uk.