Thousands have braved the rain this morning to cheer on the Olympic Torch along the streets of Crewe.
This picture sent in by Nantwichnews reader Craig Buckley shows the torch along Edleston Road during its journey through South Cheshire at around 8.15am today (May 31).
Despite the road closures and disruption, large numbers of people from Nantwich, Crewe and surrounding villages armed themselves with flags and brollies to line the streets.
It began at around 8.03am along Hungerford Road (A532), before moving onto Macon Way (A532) at 8.06, Earle Street (A532) at 8.09, Market Street Edleston Road (A5078) 08.17, Nantwich Road (A534), 08.24, Crewe Road (A534) 08.31 and finally Crewe Green Road (A534) at o8.35 before being transported for the next leg of its journey in Congleton.
“There was a real carnival atmosphere along the route with people waving flags and capturing the moment on their phones,” said Nantwichnews contributor Jonathan White.
The remainder of the route can be viewed live via http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay
More pictures and reaction to follow later.
(pic sent in by Craig Buckley)
I was at the B&Q roundabout and there were definitely thousands of people between Gresty Road and MMU. It was a lovely event, fantastic for all the kids – a real once in a lifetime occasion. The Torch and the Alex have nothing to do with each other, the football trophy can be paraded anytime.
The Hungerford Road and Nantwich Road sections that I visited this morning during the Torch Relay were definitely lined by thousands of people and the atmosphere was fantastic. Unfortunately Crewe Alex were unable to parade their League Two playoff final trophy as many of the team and management had already booked holidays after their extended season.
Apart from the 2 people running, I count 13 spectators in a space which could accommodate 2 or 3 times that number. Thousands? Who’s kidding whom? Hopefully, the people of Crewe have recognised this relay for what it is, i.e. a cynical commercial opportunity for Lord Coe and his chums to make money. Crewe Alex pulled off promotion to League 1 – where is their procession? At least the town will get some longer term benefit from a better class of football.
How cynical, the Olympics are great for the country and the for the people, how does Lord Coe, a great athlete and his chums make any money out of the Olympic Torch relay, unbelievable comments, it happens every four years wherever the games are taking place.
Crewe Alex was a great achievement and there should be an open top bus tour around the town, but the planning should have been done in advance of the game, that’s down to the Club themselves working with Cheshire East or is Lord Coe making money on that?