Residents, traders and visitors are being urged to check the road closure schedule as Dorset gears up for a prestigious triathlon event.

The Ironman 70.3 Weymouth is coming back for 2019 this Sunday, September 22.

This is a mammoth sporting event with hundreds of contestants taking part.

The full event involves a swim of 1.2 miles in Weymouth Bay, a cycle ride of 56 miles around the countryside, and then a run on the final stretch of 13.1 miles.

Ironman provides a tremendous boost to the local economy outside the main summer season.

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and the environment at Dorset Council, has welcomed the return of the event and praised the benefits it brings.

However, people are warned that numerous road closures will be in place at various points throughout the day.

Cllr Bryan said: "Once again we welcome the Ironman back in Dorset for this prestigious event which attracts athletes from across the world and gives our local athletes an opportunity to compete on home soil.

"Our traffic control centre will be operating on the day and we have members of staff in the race control centre to provide residents and drivers with information via our @TravelDorset Twitter account as the roads are reopened.

"We’ve been working closely with Ironman and there will be Dorset Council highways staff at some of the most crucial marshalling points. This ensures that local knowledge and highway information is available. We advise people to check the route and make preparations in advance. There will be delays so expect journeys to take longer. Access for emergency services will be maintained."

He added: "This is a valuable event for our economy and it showcases our magnificent county to the thousands of sports enthusiasts who are part of the Ironman family, who may choose to come and stay and train in Dorset. Good luck to all those competing."

General information about the event can be found at eu.ironman.com

Plan ahead of the day

Dorset Council says even if you are not planning on spectating and enjoying the event, make sure you understand the plans for the day as your journey may be affected.

Closures include Weymouth Esplanade (King's Statue to Pavilion) and Custom House Quay which will be closed from 6am to 7pm, and Preston Beach Road, which will be closed from 4am to 6pm from Melcombe Avenue to Overcombe roundabout.

Various road closures will be in place for brief periods of the day along the cycle route. This route heads north from Weymouth towards Puddletown. It goes to Holwell on the B3143 before heading back down towards Dorchester via Cerne Abbas then to Whitcombe, Preston and Weymouth

If you live, work in or are visiting:

Piddlehinton, Piddletrenthide, Plush, Buckland Newton, Pulham, Kings Stag, Wolfedale Golf Course, Holwell, Glanvilles Wooton, Middlemarsh, Frome Whitfield, Cosmore, Cerne Abbas, Netercerne, Godmanstone, Fordington, Dorchester, Charlton Down & Charminster – download access information here

If you live, work in or are visiting:

Preston Beach Road, Warmwell, Overcombe & Bowleaze, Crossways, Preston & Sutton Poyntz, Higher Woodsford, Lewell, West Stafford, Osmington & Osmington Mills, Moreton, Poxwell & Ringstead, Waddock Cross, Tincleton, Puddletown – download access information here

If you live, work in or are visiting:

Preston Beach Road, Came Down Golf Club, Overcombe & Bowleaze, Littlemoor Road, Fordington, Dorchester, Winterbourne Came, Whitcombe, Coombe Valley Road - download access information here

Parking information

Short stay car parks in Weymouth town centre open as normal

Pavilion car park and Lodmoor Country Park car park will be closed during the event

Access for care providers

To protect vulnerable residents, car passes have been made available on request, for social carers and care workers to access service users’ homes, and care homes, during the event. Contact IRONMAN race control on 03330 11 66 00 or email weymouth@ironmanroadaccess.com if you have any issues on the day.

Restrictions in place for the event include:

Revoke the existing loading bay and impose a temporary taxi rank, outside ‘The Gloucester’, 1-20 Gloucester Lodge, The Esplanade, Weymouth

Revoke the existing ‘Prohibition of Driving Order’ in Lower St Alban Street, which starts at the junction with St. Nicholas Street (between 6am and 7pm)

For travel advice from Dorset Council see here