Bus services are set to be delayed and diverted as the Tour of Britain kicks off in Darlington. 

Hundreds are expected to line the streets of the town centre on Wednesday (September 4) morning as the world-class cycling event begins its second stage. 

There are a string of road closures in place across the town for the event, which will see riders set off from West Row at 11am. 

This means that Arriva bus services - specifically the X26, X27, X75 and X76 - will be unable to serve Feethams stops until 1pm. Instead, the buses will use the stop outside Flannels in Crown Street. 

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Arriva has warned that all services due to arrive or depart in Darlington between 10.45am and 11.15am will be subject to delays and diversions as the race gets underway. 

A full statement online reads: "Services X26, X27, X75 and X76 will be unable to serve Feethams stops until 1pm instead use the stop outside Flannels in Crown Street.

"All services due to arrive or depart in Darlington between 1045 and 1115 will be subject to delays and diversions as the Town Centre is temporarily closed for the Tour of Britain."