Roads near this year’s Tour de France route will be closed from 7.30am to 4pm on the day of the race.

The world’s top cyclists will pass through Braintree district on July 7 as part of the Tour’s third stage, from Cambridge to London.

Essex County Council (ECC) is working with traffic and crowd management experts who worked on the London 2012 Olympics to ensure the day goes smoothly.

After entering Essex through Uttlesford district, the race will go to Finchingfield, Wethersfield and Shalford Green.

Racers will then enter Rayne on Shalford Road, cross into Gore Road and turn right into New Road, next to the Flitch Way.

The route then passes over the A120 and heads towards Felsted on its way to The Mall in London.

Although the likes of Mark Cavendish and Sir Bradley Wiggins are unlikely to pass through until about 1pm, the eight-and-a-half hour road closure is needed to install infrastructure, accommodate race support vehicles and clear spectators from the area after the race.

Ann Naylor, ECC cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “It's with real pride that we will welcome the world's elite sporting cyclists.

“An amazing and unforgettable spectacle is promised against the backdrop of our beautiful rural and urban county.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

The route through Braintree district 

• The B1053 through Finchingfield.

• Continue to Wethersfield where you turn right to continue on the B1053.

• Continue on B1053 until Church End then turn right on to unnamed road towards Shalford Green.

• Continue on unnamed road towards Rayne passing through Duckend Green.

• Enter Rayne on Shalford Road and go straight across at the traffic lights into Gore Road.

• Turn right into New Road with the Flitch Way on your right.

• Follow this road and it becomes School Road and goes over the A120.

For more information, visit the Essex County Council website.