The 2024 Tour of Britain stage could pass through South Yorkshire

Plans have been put forward for Britain’s biggest cycling race to pass through South Yorkshire.

This year’s UK tour will start in Glasgow on September 1 and finish in London seven days later.

Although the exact route is yet to be finalised, Barnsley Council has expressed an interest in hosting a stage of the race.

It said it would consider spending £130,000 on the scheme, which would boost the area’s “perception and reputation”.

The Tour of Britain is a multi-day cycling race on the roads of Great Britain, first held in 1945 and televised nationally and internationally, reports the Local Democracy Service.

Organizers said more details of the 20th edition would be revealed in the coming weeks, but Barnsley Council hopes to host a “significant part” of the stage if the race passes through South Yorkshire.

The proposed stage would start in Sheffield and see cyclists travel through Rotherham and Doncaster before finishing in Barnsley.

Matt O’Neill, chief executive for growth and sustainability, said: “Our intention in proposing this investment is to attract visitors to Barnsley and showcase our borough to a wider audience as the event is televised internationally.

“Barnsley Town Council includes representatives from businesses and other organizations in Barnsley and will discuss in detail all the potential benefits and impacts of the race before making a decision.”

Mr O’Neill said the borough’s “wonderful” scenery and key tourist attractions would be highlighted as part of the route and, according to a council report, would lead to “improved perception and reputation” of the area.

An earlier version of this article said the Tour of Britain would pass through South Yorkshire, but Barnsley Council have since clarified that this information was not confirmed and was published in error.