Barrow is preparing to welcome thousands of motorcyclists heading to the town as part of a day of events to celebrate the life of Dave Myers.
One half of the hugely popular TV duo the Hairy Bikers, Dave Myers was a proud Barrovian and various events will be happening in the town on June 8, Dave Day.
These include a motorcycle ride from London to Barrow, a concert at Craven Park, home of Barrow Raiders rugby league team, and an afternoon of entertainment outside Barrow Town Hall organised by Barrow BID, that will feature an appearance from Si King, Dave’s Hairy Biker colleague and close friend, and Dave’s wife Liliana.
Westmorland and Furness Council is working as part of a multi-agency group including emergency services and highways bodies to ensure public safety and to minimise community impact as a result of the day’s events.
This includes arranging road closures around the town hall where it is expected large crowds will gather in the afternoon and allowing some of its car parks to be used by the visiting motorcyclists.
The council was already having its own celebration event on the morning of June 8 outside Barrow Town Hall to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and the staging that will be used for the D-Day event will be used by Barrow BID for their Dave Day activities from 4pm onwards.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, said: “It is truly wonderful to see how so many people are coming together to celebrate the life of Dave Myers.
“From the many businesses to sports clubs and individual fundraisers, our communities have really embraced Dave Day. It demonstrates how well-loved he was and how he touched the lives of so many people.
“I know Dave was a passionate advocate for Barrow and we are looking forward to welcoming people to the town on June 8 to enjoy Dave Day.
“Although the council is not involved in co-ordinating or organising the different events, we are supporting the BID’s activities outside the town hall and working with our partners including the police and highways to try to make sure those visiting Barrow have a safe, enjoyable and trouble-free day.’’
With so many visitors expected on June 8, the multi-agency group is warning it is inevitable that there will be increased traffic and some disruption on local roads, particularly during the afternoon and up to around 9pm.
On the wider road network, there is likely to be congestion around Junction 36 of the M6 motorway, with the Dave Day motorcyclists expected mid-afternoon onwards and routes into the Lake District likely to be busy with events including Appleby Horse Fair, the Great North Swim at Windermere and a car festival at Westmorland County Showground the same weekend.
For more information about Dave Day and events being organised by Barrow BID outside Barrow Town Hall, go to www.visitbarrow.org.uk/dave-day/
