Watch out for bikes!

ROAD and public transport users are being warned to plan their journeys carefully as the Tour de France passes through Greater Manchester this weekend.

The second stage of the race will begin in York before passing through parts of Rochdale on Sunday with roads and transport services likely to be affected by the race.

Racers will be using a section of the B6138 and the A58 adjacent to Blackstone Edge reservoir on Sunday, before heading towards Huddersfield and Sheffield.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch the event and Transport for Greater Manchester has worked with operators to provide additional or enhanced services on the day.

Metrolink services to Rochdale will be enhanced all weekend, with every other tram to Rochdale being a double tram.

Northern Rail has also increased capacity on services between Manchester and Rochdale, Hebden Bridge and Littleborough, which are some of the locations close to the race site.

There will also be a special bus service operated by First from Manchester city centre to Mytholmroyd via Rochdale early on Sunday morning, as well as a shuttle service taking people between Littleborough Rail Station and Cragg Vale — one of the key points of the second stage — provided by Rochdale Council.

Services are expected to be extremely busy both to and from the event and anyone who is planning on using public transport should allow plenty of time.

Road users are also being advised of a number of road closures and diversions in place from early on Sunday. Visit www.tfgm.com/tourdefrance for details