Close Them Down!
The roads more travelled
John Newman
...Roads that is. Following a consultation process launched earlier this year, the Government, through the Dept for Transport and Dept for Culture, Media and Sport, has announced that local authorities will be able to give the okay to close roads for the staging of motor sports events, such as rallies, road races. hill climbs, and speed trials.
About time too a lot of people will say. If they can manage this on the Isle of Man, throughout Ireland, and in numerous countries on mainland Europe, there are not many reasons for it not to happen in England, Wales and Scotland – independence not withstanding.
The announcement was made by the Prime Minister as he opened a new factory for the Williams Formula One Team in Oxfordshire: he was backed by the Roads Minister, Robert Goodwill and Culture Secretary, Savid Javid. The emphasis was on the benefits to the economy from this form of tourist interest following the enormous success of the recent Tour De France stages.
Currently Local Authorities have the power to authorise road closures for sporting and leisure events such as happens with major marathons or demonstrations. But until now they have not been able to suspend the Road Traffic Act in relation to race events.
If the ACU and major motorcycle clubs get their act together, there is the potential for carnivals of bike sport in many areas. This will inevitably demonstrate just how exciting motorcycle racing can be, and open up opportunities for more of the population to be exposed to riding and racing.
Nice to hear some good news about motorcycling!
John Newman for Wemoto News
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