Tour de France UK's impact 'overridingly positive'

The Tour de France will come to Cumbria for the first time in 2027 [PA Media] The Tour de France's return to the UK in 2027 will be a "monumental moment", one of the organisers said. It will mark the first time the race has come to Cumbria, with thousands of people expected to line the streets. Stage one of the men's race will finish in Carlisle on 2 July, while stage two will start in Keswick and pass Windermere the next day.

Jon Dutton, chief executive of British Cycling, said he was currently working with the local authorities to tackle potholes on the race route, as well as alleviating parking concerns for residents. The race usually sees about 200 cyclists compete over 2,000 miles (3,218 km) in 21 stages. It will be the fifth time the UK has partly staged the men's event after 1974, 1994, 2007 and 2014.

During the second stage, competitors will pass through Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere before heading through Lancashire to Liverpool. 'Safe environment' Dutton said British Cycling was busy planning the event and working with both Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Council. "This is bigger and will be better than ever before," he said.

"This is massive and it'd be great to hear the excitement, the enthusiasm and I guess some of the concerns and trepidation ahead what is just a monumental moment for Cumbria. " People living in Keswick told BBC Radio Cumbria they were excited for such a large event to come to the county. However, some have raised concerns about parking around the town, as well as the potholes on the roads.