Keighley, Haworth and Ilkley have been earmarked as three of the preferred locations to serve as key focal points for Tour de France spectators.

Bradford Council this week confirmed the company organising the Spectator Hubs has identified the three sites.

But a final decision on the sites will not be made until the end of next month.

Spectator Hubs are places where members of the public wanting to enjoy the race can congregate safely, with access to giant television screens, refreshments and entertainment.

Facilities are to be operated by TdF Hub 2014 Ltd, a not-for-profit company set up by UK Sport.

Haworth Main Street trader, Nikki Carroll, has been working with other residents and Bradford Council to put together Haworth’s bid to host a hub in the village’s Central Park.

She was delighted to learn Haworth had been designated as a ‘preferred’ location.

“I think it’s really exciting,” she said. “Subject to the confirmation at the end of March, if this goes ahead, it will be a fantastic opportunity for Haworth.

“We’re looking at a two-day event – both the Saturday and the Sunday – which will include a big television screen and entertainment for all the family. Now we know we’re a preferred location, the organising can be stepped up a gear and we can start pencilling in events.”

Haworth resident, Graham Smith, who operates a community radio station, is disappointed the hubs will not be confirmed until the end of March. He is planning to provide a village-wide public address system for the weekend when the Tour de France arrives in the district.

“Until there’s a definite ‘yes’ we really can’t go any further,” he warned.

“These hubs are extremely important because they will be classed as areas with lots of spectators, but I don’t yet know what having a hub here will actually mean for Haworth. The Tour de France people are playing things very close to their chests.”

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