Some of Welwyn Hatfield's Olympic Torchbearers outside Hatfield House

Olympic Torch Relay convoy heading to Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield

By Kelly-Ann Kiernan, Chief Reporter Thursday, June 28, 2012
9:30 PM

THE 2012 Olympic Torch Relay arrives in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield on Sunday, July 8. Here the Welwyn Hatfield Times looks at the Torch Relay convoy and the route it will take through the borough.

The 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route through Hatfield

THE convoy which supports the Olympic Torch Relay is extensive.

It includes a variety of vehicles and support services to enable the Olympic Flame to be viewed and witnessed by the public around the country.

Around 45 minutes before the event the convoy will arrive.

There will be three “pre-activation” units from the official sponsors of the Olympic Torch Relay: Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.

The 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route through Welwyn Garden City

These units will be handing out giveaways at points along the route – the council is expecting Lloyds TSB to stop in WGC and Coca-Cola to stop in Hatfield.

The convoy will pass through the borough at a speed of 4mph, while it’s running.

It is due to take around 40 minutes to make its way through each town.

The Olympic Torch Relay arrives at around 1.30pm in WGC and leaves Hatfield at around 4pm.

Matt Rayner, Welwyn Hatfield Council’s Olympic co-ordinator, said: “Although the Olympic Torch Relay itself is managed by LOCOG [the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games] with the support of the Metropolitan Police, the council is responsible for ensuring they can carry out the planned passage.

“We’ve had to, among many others things, consider road closures, organise publicity, design a decoration plan, organise events around the Olympic Torch Relay, arrange sites for Torch Relay ‘Presenting Partners’ to pitch up before the relay passes, as well as conform to demands from LOCOG and other partners, including the police, to make sure everything is in order in good time.”

* See this week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times – out now – for details of road closures, where to stand for the best view of the Torchbearers and where to park on the day.