Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay
The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton relay will visit the North East over the summer as it makes its way to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.
The Relay began on 7 October at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty The Queen placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton. This message will be read at the Opening Ceremony in Birmingham, following an epic journey across the Commonwealth visiting all 72 nations and territories, embracing unique cultures and sharing stories.
Starting its Gateshead journey on Friday 15 July at the world-famous Angel of the North, the Queen's Baton Relay will continue, with the help of 18 Batonbearers, to Saltwell Park before it heads back through Gateshead making its way up the River before crossing over into Newcastle.
Batonbearers
Eighteen Batonbearers will accompany The Queen's Baton Relay as it makes its journey from the Angel of the North to Saltwell Park. The Baton will be carried by over 2,000 inspirational Batonbearers throughout England this summer.
Batonbearers are people who:
- are always willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story
- have made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity
- are a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best
- have taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community
Route
The Queen's Baton Relay will leave from the Angel of the North at 4.20pm and arrive at Saltwell Park at approximately 5pm.
At 5.55pm, The Baton will also travel up the River Tyne and under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge to the City Marina on the Newcastle side of the river. The Baton will then briefly travel up into Newcastle City Centre and then return to the Quayside as part of an end of day celebration event.
Road closures
The Queen's Baton Relay will include 18 Batonbearers walking along the route from the Angel of the North to Saltwell Park.
Short-term road closures will be in place between 3.15 and 5.30pm (latest) on the following roads/junctions:
- A167 Durham road, north and south bound between the Angel of the North roundabout and Valley Drive, including all junctions in between
- Joicey Road between the A167 Durham Road and Saltwell Road South
The network will be significantly affected for a short period of time with delays expected. Motorists, residents, businesses and schools will be warned of the road closure well in advance with diversions signposted and junctions reopened as soon as The Queen's Baton Relay has passed through.
A number of road closures will also be in place in Newcastle from 5.30pm up to 8.45pm, though roads will be reopened as soon as possible once the relay safely passes.
The Newcastle roads affected are:
- Quayside - between junctions with Sandhill and Milk Market
- King Street - entire length
- Lombard Street - entire length
- Queens - entire length
- Sandgate - entire length
- The Swirle - entire length
- Quayside - between The Swirls and Broad Chare
- Sandhill - between Quayside and Side
- Side - entire length
- Dean Street - between Side and Grey Street
- Grey Street - between Dean Street and Blackett Street
- Market Street - between Pilgrim Street and Grainger Street
- Shakespeare Street - entire length
- High Bridge - entire length
Spectating
During the Queen's Baton Relay
Residents are encouraged to watch The Queen's Baton Relay at any point along the route from the Angel of the North to Saltwell Park, providing you do so safely. Please be aware of the timings of the event above, and plan to arrive and be in position well in advance of The Queen's Baton Relay passing. Traffic on the route will be significantly affected, and you may find it difficult to get to the area once the road closures are in place.
Please be considerate of residents when parking your vehicle, and do not block any residential access or park on the Relay route.
Activities on the day
The Queen's Baton Relay will be at Saltwell Park at approximately 5pm - so come along and join in the fun.
We have lots of sports taster activities to get involved in between 4.30 to 5.30pm.
You'll also be able to see Perry, the Birmingham 2022 mascot at Saltwell Park as he welcomes the Baton. This is one of only a few appearances he will make across the 25 days of the relay in England.
End of day celebrations will take place at Wesley Square on Newcastle quayside from 5.30 to 7.30pm and will include family accessible activities. Representatives of Newcastle Eagles, Tyne Bridge Harriers and Hat Trick, the Elswick-based community sports development programme, will be on hand to allow attendees to try their hand at versions of Commonwealth games sports including basketball shoot outs and free throws, running bleep tests, foam javelin throwing, standing long jumps and much more with prizes for those achieving the best scores.
Metro radio will also be on hand to provide the entertainment for the event and will be welcoming the Baton in at the end of the day at approximately 6.45pm.
Find out more about the Queen's Baton Relay on the Birmingham 2022 website
Be Safe, Be Sound - safety advice for the public
The Police have produced some advice on how to stay safe at public events. View the information on the Counter Terrorism Policing website