The European U23-Junior Road Championships is causing major traffic diversions in central Sofia.

Vehicle traffic routes and some public transport routes were being changed, Focus news agency reported.

The championship is taking place between July 19 and 22 2007.

Only men and women, boys and girls under 23 years of age are eligible to enter the competition.

Sofia authorities initially opposed altering traffic arrangments, but finally agreed because otherwise Bulgaria would have been deprived of hosting the event.

Some of Sofia’s main roads will be closed between 9.30am and 6pm on July 21 and 22.

Traffic on Trakiya highway will be affected on July 20 because of the championship. Only one of the lanes of the highway will be open and vehicles will be re-directed to Hemus highway.