Drivers and residents have been warned to plan their journeys ahead of the Tour of Cambridgeshire cycle event at the weekend.

Roads will be closed to accommodate a 17-mile time trial tomorrow (Saturday, June 6), and an 81-mile Gran Fondo on Sunday (June 7), both starting and finishing in Peterborough.

People living in Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Old Weston, Great Gidding, Buckworth, Abbots Ripton, Upwood, the Raveleys, Ramsey St Mary’s, will be affected on Sunday.

Leaflets have been dropped to homes along the 128km route, letting people know they will not be able to leave or drive to their property for a number of hours.

Carers and emergency vehicles will, however, be given access at all times.

Among those affected will be Margaret Thornton, 64, of Herne Road, Ramsey St Mary’s.

She said: “A lot of people I have spoken to seem to think they will be able to come and go, but that just isn’t the case.”

Tom Caldwell, one of the organisers, said: “The truth is when you are dealing with a closure covering 128km of road, there will always be someone who has put the leaflet in the bin or not read it.”

Despite receiving around 80 complaints, Mr Caldwell says the event, which is also raising money for the Sue Ryder Hospice, will be well received.

He says it will bring £1.3million to the local economy and promote an area of the country that is often over-looked.

“When they first organised the London Marathon people were going nuts, but now you would be hard pushed to find anyone in London who wouldn’t have it,” he added. “If people can just be patient I think they will see what a wonderful event this is for the area.”

INFORMATION: Find out how where you live will be affected by going to www.tourofcambridgeshire.com.