Police put out a safety message as preparations mount for holiday and America’s Cup celebrations.

At a press conference today, Detective Superintendent Sean Field-Lament said: “This will be an extraordinary time for Bermuda with our island celebrating our traditional holiday and hosting thousands of visitors for the America’s Cup.

“Our intent is to minimise traffic disruption and facilitate safe passage for the runners, cyclists and other road users during the multiple racing events and the annual Heritage Day parade.”

On Wednesday, the annual Bermuda Day Appleby Half Marathon Derby running race and the Sinclair Packwood Memorial cycling race will start in St George’s and finish in Hamilton.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Dave Greenidge said: “As in previous years, the Bermuda Police Service and the race organisers will have officers and marshals positioned along the route. They are there to minimise risks to all road users, especially the cyclists and runners.

“We are asking the motoring public to fully co-operate with any directions given to them and to familiarise themselves with the race route and the times that the roads will be closed.

“We all need to do our best to ensure there are no collisions with race participants as that could lead to serious injury or death.”

Roads along the race route will close at 8.30am on Wednesday.

People flying out are urged to be at the airport by 8am at the latest, and the Causeway will be closed to all traffic by 8.30am.

Mr Greenidge said: “We would appreciate assistance from hotels, guesthouses and taxi operators with informing all our guests, tourists and travellers to plan for the road closures — but also to anticipate traffic delays due to the heavy traffic expected going into St George’s in the build-up to the racing events.

“Do not be caught off guard by the heavy traffic or the road closures. Better to arrive early than miss a flight.”

Roads will be reopened when it is deemed safe and delays of 90 minutes or more should be expected.

Routes for the races are as follows:

Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race (Cycle):

Start 8.50am: York Street, Mullet Bay Road, Kindley Field Road, the Causeway, Blue Hole Hill, North Shore Road (Hamilton Parish), Middle Road (Smith’s and Devonshire), Cavendish Road, Reid Street, left on to Court Street, right on to Front Street, Queen Street, Church Street, Cedar Avenue.

Appleby Bermuda Half Marathon (Running Race):

Start 9am: York Street, Mullet Bay Road, Kindley Field Road, the Causeway, Blue Hole Hill, North Shore Road (Hamilton Parish), Middle Road (Smith’s and Devonshire), Cavendish Road, Lane Hill, East Broadway, Front Street, Queen Street, Church Street, King Street, Victoria Street, Cedar Avenue, Marsh Folly Road, Dutton Avenue.

• The above roads will be closed from 8.30am until noon. No traffic will be allowed to travel in either direction during the cycle race. No traffic will be allowed to travel in the opposite direction to the marathon runners.

Junior Classic Running Race:

At 9.45am, the Junior Classic Running Race will start on Front Street and finish at Dutton Avenue.

For persons intending to enter or exit the City of Hamilton, the following procedure will be in place. Motorised traffic will be allowed to cross the race route at the following junctions only:

• Middle Road/Harrington Sound Road (Flatts) to North Shore Road (entry and exit to Hamilton).

• Tee Street/Middle Road to Orange Valley Road (entry into Hamilton only).

Heritage Day parade

Spectators should not obstruct the passage of the participants of the Heritage Day Parade.

Start 1.30pm: Bernard Park (Dutton Avenue), Marsh Folly Road, Cedar Avenue, Church Street, Court Street, Front Street, Queen Street, ending at City Hall Car Park.

Many of the performers demand the entire width of the road, and others are mounted on heavy vehicles with limited vision. Serious harm and/or disruption to the parade could result in the event of spectator interference.

Certain roads and road junctions will be closed in Hamilton until the parade has concluded and Corporation of Hamilton Waste Management teams have completed trash collections.

Cars parked in areas of the city that become isolated due to the closures (particularly Reid Street) will not be able to move until the roads and junctions are reopened.

No parking areas will be clearly marked, and specific road closure times are contained in the gazetted notices.

The following temporary road closures will be in effect within Hamilton:

Queen Street from Church Street to Front Street between 8.45am and 8.30pm

Burnaby Street from Front Street to Church Street between 8.45am and 8.30pm

Cedar Avenue from Church Street to City Boundary between 8.45am and 6pm

Parliament Street from Front Street to Dundonald Street between 8.45am and 6pm

Court Street from Front Street to Dundonald Street between 8.45am and 6pm

King Street from Front Street to Dundonald Street between 8.45am and 11.30am

Front Street from Bermudiana Road to King Street between 8.45am and 6pm

Reid Street from Queen Street to King Street between 8.45am and 6pm

Church Street from Queen Street to King Street between 8.45am and 6pm

Victoria Street from Wesley Street to King Street between 8.45am and 11.30am

Washington Street to Brunswick Street between 11.30am and 6pm

Dundonald Street from Par-la-Ville Road North Roundabout to Brunswick Street between 8.45am and 6pm

No parking from 10pm Tuesday until 10pm Wednesday

No. 1 Car Park: food stalls and vendors only

No. 5 Car Park: food stalls and vendors only

City Hall Car Park: closed

City Hall Rear Car Park: reserved parking for vendors and entertainment only

Albuoy’s Point: reserved parking for vendors only

No parking from 6am to 4pm Wednesday

Queen Street from Front Street to Church Street

Burnaby Street from Front Street to Church Street

Cedar Avenue from Church Street to the City Boundary

Court Street from Front Street to Church Street

King Street from Front Street to Victoria Street

Front Street from Queen Street to King Street

Church Street from Queen Street to King Street

Victoria Street from Wesley Street to King Street

Reid Street from Spurling Hill to Court Street

Bermuda Police Service is authorised to close off streets or portions of streets, direct traffic and restrict and authorise parking as the Commissioner of Police decides.

Detective Superintendent Field-Lament added: “In closing, while Friday marks the official start to the America’s Cup, Heritage Day traditionally ushers in the unofficial start of summertime activities on the water.

“The BPS anticipates a huge amount of marine traffic this summer and there have been regular advisory notices about the expected behaviour of marine traffic in and around America’s Cup events.

“In addition, we wish to reinforce our annual marine safety messages. We would like to remind the boating public to ensure that their vessels are registered and that a current 2017-18 decal is prominently displayed on the starboard side of the vessel; that all required safety equipment is on board; and that they are carrying enough fuel for the intended journey.

“It is also recommended that boaters file a float plan and certainly so, if they intend to go offshore, with Bermuda Radio.

“Members of the boating public should always exercise care and caution around other vessels and be on the lookout for swimmers.

“Speed is an issue not only in maritime collisions, but in the general nuisance factor that is experienced by boaters at anchor near the shoreline. To that end, the five-knot — no wake areas will be strictly enforced in order to calm the marine traffic.

“Persons should also bear in mind the new ten-knot rule in Hamilton Harbour up to Two Rock Passage.

“We also encourage that persons do not mix any use of alcohol with powerboat operating or sailing.

“There will be a visible law enforcement presence on our waterways with the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Reserve Police and members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment marine units ensuring the safety of all.

“Please assist in our efforts by being responsible out on the water.

“I would like to finish by wishing everyone a fantastic Bermuda day. Let’s set the tone for the summer and America’s Cup by showing the best of Bermuda and making this a safe, peaceful and memorable holiday.”