The government has today announced a consultation on closed road motor sport events on mainland Britain. This consultation runs for six weeks until 10 April 2014.
The Motorsport UK has therefore prepared a special document outlining:
• What is means for motor sport
• How you can play your part in achieving a change in the legislation
Please help us to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!.
Please see the Motorsport UK guidance at http://www.motorsportuk.org/uploadedfiles/newsletter/ClosedRoads.pdf
I was concerned that this might have an adverse effect on the availability of roads for existing road- based events, so I raised the question with the Motorsport UK. Their prompt and reassuring reply is copied below:
Good morning Colin,
Thank you for taking the trouble to get in touch and raising a very valid point.
There is no guarantee, of course, of what we may finally get in terms of legislation, but I can assure you that everything we have done to date has been with the express intention of retaining the existing arrangements for the types of discipline you mention. We will do everything we can to guide the government down the road of not touching what is already in existence and, to date, they have shown no desire to do so. Our preferred solution is to leave the RTA broadly untouched and simply introduce a mechanic whereby the Local Authority can disapply the entire RTA to a specified section of road for the duration of an event.
I hope that reassures you as far as we are able, and encourages you to join the campaign and get your friends to do so too!
If you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
With kind regards
Ben Taylor
Ben Taylor
Development and Communications Director
Motor Sports Association, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, SL3 0HG
T: +44 (0)1753 765002 | M: +44 (0)7866 449940 |
@msauk /msauk | www.motorsportuk.org
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From: Andrea Wren
Sent: 28 February 2014 10:31
To: Ben Taylor; Ian Davis
Subject: FW: Closed roads consultation
From: Colin Sutton
Sent: 28 February 2014 10:27
To: Rally
Subject: Closed roads consultation
Hello
I am, like many competitors and followers, pleased that the closed roads consultation is happening.
However, before urging everybody I know to support it, I would like to know if any thought has been given to the possibility of consequences for disciplines currently taking place on public roads.
Specifically, is there a risk that allowing closed roads will reduce the availability of roads for road, navigational, historic and endurance rallies?
I would appreciate a prompt response, please.
Best regards,
Colin Sutton.