With little more than a fortnight to go until the inaugural edition of the closed road sportive Velo South in West Sussex on 23 September, some locals opposed to the event are launching a legal challenge to try to stop it from taking place as well as a “walking protest” on the day.
The event will see 15,000 cyclists tackle a 100-mile route through the county, but the West Sussex County Times reports that solicitors acting on behalf of a group of local residents have delivered a pre-action letter to West Sussex County Council (WSCC).
The action is being taken by residents who are concerned that road closures associated with the event will prevent them being able to use their cars on the day and will also affect local businesses.
The solicitors’ letter includes “an urgent application for interim relief prohibiting the event from taking place, pending the final determination of the proceedings.”
The letter adds: “As such, any additional costs incurred by either WSCC or CSM towards the preparation of the event is now entirely at your own risk.”
A spokesman for West Sussex County Council, quoted in the newspaper, said: “On Friday, August 31, the county council received a letter from lawyers instructed by five residents.
“The letter makes a number of claims on behalf of those individuals about the procedure and arrangements for enabling road closures in connection with the proposed Velo South cycle event.
“The county council will, in accordance with the formal process in which the letter has been sent, consider its content and provide a full response to the lawyers as required.
“Given that such a formal legal process has now been commenced it will not be appropriate for the council to comment further on the letter at this stage.”
A website, Stop Velo South, encourages people to download and deliver letters outlining objections to the event to deliver to their neighbours, to put posters in their windows and to take part in a “walking protest.”
The website says that “A safe and legal walking protest has been registered with West Sussex Police.
“A walking protest is planned on the day which will be peaceful, legal and within our statutory rights.
“We encourage you to speak with your feet and walk with us.
“Exact details will be published nearer the event,” it adds.
Chris Matthews, one of the organisers of Stop Velo South, claims that the group now has more than 3,000 members.
Last week, he told the Midhurst and Petworth Observer: “The thing that surprised us is you’d expect fatigue would set in, that people would become more resigned to the event happening, but people are getting angrier as the day approaches because more and more people are discovering that it’s going to happen.”
Velo South is run by CSM Events, and a spokesman for the company told Spirit FM: “We are working closely with our partners West Sussex County Council, Chichester and Horsham District Councils and Parish Councils to deliver an event we hope will raise substantial amounts for charity and boost health, tourism and the economy within the West Sussex region.
“Over 162,000 leaflets have been distributed to residents and businesses across the whole route since February and numerous ‘roadshows’ have been held to communicate details about the event and the necessary road closures.
“We will assist residents or businesses that are affected wherever possible,” he continued. “Should residents or businesses along the Velo South route have any specific concerns about access during the day they are encouraged to email route@velosouth.com.
The spokesman added: “Emergency services representatives have been involved in the entire Velo South planning process and services responding to any kind of emergency will be facilitated by the organisers, managed from the Event Control Room in partnership with emergency service representatives.”
CSM Events also organised last year’s Velo Birmingham which encountered similar protests.
Tacks and oil were spread on the route of the event last September, although it received an overwhelmingly positive reception and not just from particpants.
Rachel Farrow, who lives in the Worcestershire village of Little Witley, told road.cc that prior to Velo Birmingham, “the local press seemed to be on a mission to stoke the negative feelings with a rather anti cycling agenda.”
But she said that it had “generated a real buzz in our community,” that her children had been able to ride their bikes through their home village “which just isn’t possible usually due to the traffic that comes in off the main road.”
> Velo Birmingham saboteurs fail to spoil day for riders and locals
She added that while road closures meant taking a detour while travelling by car to a christening on the day of the event, “really it wasn’t that much hassle.”
It had been planned for Velo Birmingham to return for this year, but in February organisers said that it would instead be postponed until 2019 with a new route.
> No repeat of Vélo Birmingham this year – but event will return in spring 2019 and on a new route
We have asked CSM Events for their reaction to thee protests against Velo South.
-1024x680.jpg "“Clear anti-cyclist bias”: Lawsuit filed against Toronto police after cop doored cyclist… before ticketing rider over incident")
89 thoughts on “Legal challenge launched and protests planned against Velo South”
Sad. It’s one day a year
Sad. It’s one day a year where they have to adjust their routines.
If they had a more positive attitude, surely there are opportunities to make it beneficial for everyone, not just cyclists?
But haters gonna hate.
I see, so you put in a court
I see, so you put in a court application including “an urgent application for interim relief prohibiting the event from taking place, pending the final determination of the proceedings.” so close to the date of the event that you’ll never actually have to have your day in court… Nice
brooksby wrote:
Yes, leave it so late is that if you can get an interim hearing listed and heard and get interim relief at that hearing the Council then won’t have enough time to appeal it. One of the points the Council should be making when defending any such application.
What has happened to this country that people can’t see beyond their own interests and look at the wider good of things. It just makes me sad about the way the world is heading.
Nick W wrote:
Velo South needs to be banned.
APE1 wrote:
You seem to feel very strongly about this. I suggest you save up and buy your own road system. In the meantime I think you need to understand that public roads are for public use and sometimes that means the inconvenience of public events in that public space.
APE1 wrote:
So no denial that your tactic is a late application to leave it too late for the matter to be dealt with substantively. Nor any denial that you can’t see beyond your own self interest for the day. You really are a sad egocentric individual. In many respects I pity you because to live your life in such a sour manner must be quite depressing and stressful for you.
Yeah, nothing short of sad.
Yeah, nothing short of sad.
Same happens in our village every year as people need to follow diversions due to Pedal Scotland passing through.
People feel so entitled to be able to travel everywhere by car, at a speed and route of their choosing, that as soon as that ability gets impinged in any way, they spit the dummy.
The car is truly king sadly.
It’s a good job the road is
It’s a good job the road is closed otherwise the walking protest wouldn’t be possible!
lonebadger wrote:
It’s a good job the road is closed otherwise the walking protest wouldn’t be possible!
— lonebadger
Hahaha!! Superb.
lonebadger wrote:
How about a tractor protest. The number of local farmers who are beoing prevented from feeding livestock should block the route with their tractors.
I, like many others are only
I, like many others are only taking part in this event to raise money for charities who have had budgets slashed over the last couple of years.
It is a sad indictment that a few NIMBY’s plan to spoil this for everyone else just because they *may* wish to drive to the local shop to pick up the Sunday paper.
Fishpastesarnie wrote:
Good point. So IF these NIMBYs get thier way, and the ride is stopped, I wonder if the media headline would be..
“Victory for local residents!”
or
“Local residents legal action prevents £xx Million going to charity!”
I know which one I would bet on.
KendalRed wrote:
It’s not just a question of going to the local shops, people do have lives and many other things to do that are important to them. Because of the selfishness of the cyclists it prohibts people going about their lives.
APE1 wrote:
Just give money to charity you don’t need to ride a bike to do that.
Fishpastesarnie wrote:
If you want to donate to charity that is still possible you don’t need to be a nuisance to do so.
I was watching Tour of
I was watching Tour of Britain on TV and, although I wasn’t certain of the car parking rules on the route, it looked like some ‘bloody minded’ people clearly weren’t going to shift their cars for a pro cycling race; can’t see them getting away with that in France for the TdF.
Cycling to work this morning on the first day back at school the traffic was pretty mental and I did think to myself, “the car is indeed King in this country”. Made a mental note to dig out my helmet cam and rear cam later after not bothering to use them for the past few weeks; sad.
Shades wrote:
It’s worth remembering that non-compliant cars are extremely easy to move out of the way with a basic fork-lift truck
.
StraelGuy wrote:
Park the tractors out.
APE1 wrote:
How will you get your agricultural work done?
Well I for one am still going
Well I for one am still going to enjoy it! Velo birmingham was great fun – despite the delays caused. I’m sure this one will be as good – despite what the nimbys say.
I would however like to ask the question why the route needs to be closed for so long…I don’t know why we can’t have larger waves starting instead of the usual 100-200 riders, and also open up the roads straight behind the broom wagon. There’s no point upsetting residents for the sake of it…
il sole wrote:
According to the closure map The first third of the route is open again by 12.15pm. The 2 main routes A24 and A272 are not closed at all although there are temporary traffic lights on the western end of the A272.
Fishpastesarnie wrote:
OMG! That’ll bring about the end of the world, won’t it?!?
il sole wrote:
Well can we ask motorists to only use the roads for a short period of time every day say 4-5am and then around 9-10pm would be best, afterall when they are using them they effectively close the roads off to cyclists and even to pedestrians.
They also have their own roads anyway, why can’t they drive on them as they are provided and Highways England keeps them clear of debris, dog shit and snow/ice plus they are in nice straight lines.
It’s only annoying to some because they’re a bunch of selfish pricks who can’t manage a few hours of not using their cars one day a year. Fuck ’em, they have it all to themselves the other 364 days!
I just checked the route out
I just checked the route out and the majority of the area inside the closed loop is within some fantastic countryside.
What an opportunity for residents who are ‘trapped’ by the closed roads to get out for a walk in the countryside, visit a country pub and generally enjoy life inside the loop without the usual rat-run traffic blasting through the AONB.
Martyn_K wrote:
Good point and it something that the residents enjoy – peace and quiet, not be descended upon by thousands. And you miss the point that those that need to travel, hospital appoinments, deliveries, working need to get outside the barricades. Why don’t the cyclists cycle around their own local communities – why disturb others?
APE1 wrote:
Have you considered that they probably are? Ride London pulls in people from all over, but generally the bulk of sportive riders will be pretty local.
You might prefer the image of hordes of outsiders descending on ‘your’ area, but some of your less gammony, fitter neighbours will be taking part.
APE1 wrote:
I fully understand why you would wish to keep this countryside to yourself. Sadly, life isn’t like that. We have to share this world of ours and make the occasional concession to those not fortunate enough to afford a house in West Sussex. It is also important to set an example to ones children and make them understand that none of us entitled to have everything we want and have it now. I live in France for part of the year and have an annual car rally closing roads around us for one day per year. Also, many cycling events spring up, closing rural circuits – the first of which we know about is when a Marshall redirects us. I don’t like Motorsport, but I fully embrace the right of others to celebrate it. On one occasion I had to get to the airport while the car rally was on. I didn’t complain, hold a protest or ask for compensation – I merely left an hour earlier than usual and took a different route. Velo South have told me that apart from the huge leaflet campaign, they held a roadshow and their Event Director took part in a Q&A session. Also, I am certain that if anyone has a special need on the day, Velo South will assist where they can, as they do care about you, our hosts. And as far as deliveries go, order early so that delivery is on Saturday. Unfortunately, there are none so blind as those that don’t want to see, so, even if Velo South had a one to one with every resident we would still be hearing complaints of lack of information. Finally, as I have said elsewhere, Velo South have confirmed that they won’t make a profit on this inaugural event and hope to donate £2 million to charity. I sincerely hope you reflect on your anger and enjoy the day, as you will receive a lot of good feeling in return.
A walking protest to support
A walking protest to support driving everywhere – are these people terminally thick?
F*ck ’em. Move it somewhere that is a bit more receptive to people swinging a leg over a bike and leave the likes of Chris Matthews to their sad obsession with stopping people having a bit of fun.
Selfish twats! Here’s hoping
Selfish twats! Here’s hoping the court tells them to fuck off, in legalese obvs. On second thoughts tells them straight to ” fuck off”.
don simon wrote:
“I would refer counsel to the matter of Arkell vs Pressdram ” 🙂
don simon wrote:
Agree that the cyclists are selfish and yes let’s tell then to f off!!!
5 people instructing the
5 people instructing the solicitors. 3000 supposed members of the group opposing it.
vs
15,000 confirmed riders (the website says General and Fast Track Entries are sold out, but possible places still via charities or putting in a business team).
So, on a simple democracy argument, 15,000 is more than 3,000.
I do think any judge will take into account the fact that this action is being taken very late in the day. It’s not clear what specific legal action is proposed, but if it’s a judicial review of the Council’s decision, then the usual time limit is you need to start court proceedings within 3 months of the decision. I’d have assumed that these decisions were taken many months ago by the council
However, the WS County Times story includes “Now the five residents have instructed solicitors who have written a ‘pre-action letter’ to WSCC chairman Lionel Barnard warning if the road closure orders are made, a legal challenge will follow.” I struggle to believe that the road closure orders haven’t already been made, but if not, then obviously they can still judicially review them, even if the broad plans have been known for some time.
To be fair, the Stop Velo South website does make some vaguely rational arguments that this is a private, for profit company organising it and that it’s not inclusive – non-standard bikes are not allowed for example. But I have to say my (strong) suspicion is that’s not what’s driving the complaints…
gw42 wrote:
Godawful amateur website,
Godawful amateur website, with some of the text very difficult to read.
Still, nice to know that with the NHS on its knees, 81k dead from austerity, drivers getting away with murder because there are no police, councils going bust and a government which, to put it as politely as I can, is in a tailspin, these people think that a cycling event is the real problem. Private Fraser was right.
burtthebike wrote:
Love it…
Sad how 5 people can try and
Sad how 5 people can try and stop the fun for literally 10,000 cyclists.
Plus people moan about the impact of the route but I know someone who owns a shop in near Stourbridge where the Birmingham one was and they said how busy it was as you had a lot of interested people come to see and there was lots of footfall in his shops and a lot of people come to the area when usually on a Sunday they wouldn’t be in the area. I think people need to think of the positives for once
Tom_r_k wrote:
It is effecting a lot more than 5 people. By your logic though if 10,000 people want to cause a nuisance = that’s okay. It’s a rural area with many farms and farmland being effected with no consideration of their working daily lives. Goodwood racetrack would have been a better alternative.
#wankers
#wankers
john1967 wrote:
Don’t knock masturbation, it’s sex with someone you love.
ErnieC wrote:
#wankers
— ErnieC Don’t knock masturbation, it’s sex with someone you love.— john1967
You could at least attribute the source of this ancient joke.
What did they expect?
What did they expect? Midhurst & Petworth are Gammon Central. Odd places.
….I suppose they’ll get
….I suppose they’ll get their 150 minutes exercise too then – but they’re probably too lazy to walk anyway. We’re closed off fairly regularly in Central London – Marathon, Triathlon, RideLondon, Tour of Britain: it’s fantastic – vehicular silence, interupted by the whirr of freewheeling and the odd cheer! (Don’t know what the Marathon sounds like, we usually head to the coast for the day).
Hadn’t planned to, but
Hadn’t planned to, but cameras front and back it is then. And ride like a demon to finish before they run out.
A walking protest? Naah, what
A walking protest? Naah, what they need is a ‘riding protest’. On horses. Now that would make the Daily Mail
I did the Velo Birmingham
I did the Velo Birmingham event last year and I have to say the overwhelming impression was of local support. In particular one or two of the towns embraced the event and had massive crowds as a result and those away from towns that were ‘trapped’ by the closed roads took the opportunity to set up chairs and tables by the road and cheer people on. It was awesome.
Hopefully some of the people intending to protest Velo South will be reading this forum and might choose to reflect: a massive number of people riding the event will be raising money for charity. Ride London 2017 raised almost £13 million and I imagine the Birmingham Velo was similar given the number of riders with Macmillan jerseys on. That is what you are protesting against. Enjoy your day!
abrooks wrote:
Give money to charity if that is the point you don’t need to ride a bike to donate to charity
APE1 wrote:
Though it is somewhat difficult to get sponsored to sit on your fat arse.
So a political act of
So a political act of selfishness that is in fact designed to obstruct others, I call that unlawful and not legal.
ok, if that’s how you want to play it, let’s encourage those 15,000 to turn up on Monday morning around 6am and cycle 4 abreast in both directions which is not unlawful nor illegal and get them to ride at a nice steady 10mph at various strategic points on the network, not even as a protest, simply wanting to get from A-B.
You have no lawful right to go any faster than some one on bike just as you will be making out that one cannot cycle faster than on foot. Or cycle past in single file along people’s driveways so they can’t pull out. Again no protest, simply using the highway lawfully.
Fucking NIMBYS, I hope they build a new town right on your doorstep, then you’ll have something to maon about twats!
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
That would very likely be looked on by the courts as obstruction, which is illegal.
burtthebike wrote:
Not if it wasn’t actually organised, flash mob style (do people still do that?)
brooksby wrote:
As I understand it, obstruction can be caused by a single vehicle, so I’m not sure why you think it has to be organised to be an offence. Perhaps the authorities do turn a blind eye to some other similar protests, but that is no guarantee that they’ll do it again.
burtthebike wrote:
OK, I did not know that.
brooksby wrote:
And on the other hand, walking slowly in the road could also constitute obstruction of the highway. Sauce for the goose anyone?
burtthebike wrote:
I see literally thousands of single vehicles blocking the motorway most days – they’re awesome at it!
I wouldn’t worry about the walking protest, how will they drive to the start point?
burtthebike wrote:
an event similar to Critical Mass would probably be lawful. This article outlines the case, and also mentions obstruction:
https://www.cyclistsdefencefund.org.uk/on-legality-londons-critical-mass
ConcordeCX wrote:
an event similar to Critical Mass would probably be lawful. This article outlines the case, and also mentions obstruction:
https://www.cyclistsdefencefund.org.uk/on-legality-londons-critical-mass
[/quote]
Thanks, I think. I read most of that, including the conclusions, and am no clearer about whether it would be obstruction or not. As it says, there doesn’t appear to be any case law to cover this.
burtthebike wrote:
Thanks, I think. I read most of that, including the conclusions, and am no clearer about whether it would be obstruction or not. As it says, there doesn’t appear to be any case law to cover this.
[/quote]
It’s somewhat different in this case, since the road is closed, for an event, and agreed and paid/orgnised with councils and so on.
I suspect as long as protesters didn’t cause too much trouble the police wouldn’t be too concerned folks are allowed to protest after all.
I suspect that any laws would be more order/unrest sort than your on a closed road type.
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
So an act of selfishness by cyclists proposed I suggest we get the tractors out en masse. Won’t comment on the rest of your comments as they are rather ridiculous, take it you must be thick.
APE1 wrote:
Calm down you wally.
The organisers of the protest
The organisers of the protest were claiming they were going to be barricaded in their own homes all day because of the event!
I have some sympathy for them as I think CSM have done the absolute minimum and done it as late as they can in terms of making it clear to local people when and where roads would be closed. The closures do seem incredibly long too, although the only closed road event I have done is Ridelondon.
There’s a petition supporting the ride – https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/we-welcome-the-velo-south
Daveyraveygravey wrote:
“Barricaded in their homes “? It’s a sportive, not the zombie apocalypse…
Daveyraveygravey wrote:
Do think about putting your names on the petition. It’s more useful than posting on road.cc.
Duncann wrote:
But fewer pictures of squirrels!
alansmurphy wrote:
I’ve signed the petition now, so we can have both!
In memoriam of Burt Reynolds:
Daveyraveygravey wrote:
Do these people want to be taken seriously, or openly mocked for being stupids?
don simon wrote:
Of course we shouldn’t mock them, as they are clearly all too disabled to move at all except by car. It’s really very sad.
Daveyraveygravey wrote:
Barricaded in their homes but still able to go outside to have a walking protest and sabotage the event. The usual hyperbole spouted out to local rags.
So at Velo Birmingham, there
So at Velo Birmingham, there were reports of tacks and oil being put on the road, would that not just damage their car tyres the next day, stupidity seems very short-sighted.
I do hope that the police let
I do hope that the police let them protest only to move them out of the way when cyclists come, or force them to change the route of the protest. They can lawfully protest then without disrupting traffic. No need to cause disruption.
My mums house was right on the route of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016. She could not get in or out for a day, so she held a garden party in her front garden, invited friends and sold cake for McMillan whilst they watched.
John Smith wrote:
That’s brilliant.
I was on Jenkin Road in Sheffield for the TdF and saw how having the roads closed for this event actually brought the community closer together. Neighbours spoke to each other for the first time in years. It was brilliant and not one dissenting voice.
I suggest that should they
I suggest that should they get there way that a “perfectly legal” cycling protest is organised to run on the original route.
I rode the (closed road)
I rode the (closed road) Mallorca 312 this year. They give out a load of info with the entry pack and in one of the booklets state the estimated addition to the local economy is 16 million euros. I am sure there are differences in scale as I am sure people will stay in Mallorca a bit longer than 1 night but it really is short sighted of the locals to scoff at this boost to the economy, especially as it is at the end of the tourist season!
tigersnapper wrote:
Exactly the same is said about pedestrian schemes, that they will devastate the local economy, but they always seem to end up making more money. Of course we all know the real problem the shop owners object, it’s because they won’t be able to park their car all day outside their shop.
tigersnapper wrote:
Judging by other such events tends to be winners and loosers so if your a hotel etc in the right place? yes probably is good, but for others not so.
The route does seem to have quite a few breakout points ie where you could drive over/under the route i’m sure for some it will be pain but compared to some closed routes it seems reasonably ok for folks needing to get about.
It’s funny, every year
It’s funny, every year residents and businesses are affected by the Notting Hill Carnival. Businesses on the route effectively have to close (board up) for 4 days. No drama, just an accepted part of life every August Bank Holoiday weekend in this part of London.
And these poor Stop Velo dears can’t bear to make adjustments to a few hours of one day, out of the 8,760 hours in a year. How sad!
Barricaded
Barricaded
If only sad-sacks like that could be barricaded in their own homes, for much more than one day. When I’m king etc.
I have family and friends who
I have family and friends who live in Worcestershire, in the villages that were directly affected by the Velo Birmingham.
The organisers could have really helped themselves with a proper PR campaign, leaflet drop to all affected properties etc during the early stages. The first many folk knew about it was when the road closure notification signs went up.
There seemed to be no consultation either between the county council and local councils.
They evidently did not learn their lesson.
It is all very well saying that the local economy benefits, but if, for example, you are a pub/restaurant on the route in some far-flung rural area, riders will not stop for sunday lunch. So there goes quite a big % of your weekly revenue.
The only act of selfishness
The only act of selfishness is from the organisers of Velo South who have created a circular route passing by thousands of residential houses all of whom cannot leave their homes. The roads are closed from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. making it impossible for residents to get about.
We have been alloted a time by Birmingham University to get our daughter there for her first year, we face the massive inconvenience of having to leave home the night before.
I have no problem with people wanting to cycle but not at the expense of inconveniencing so many other people, which the organisers have not taken in to consideration. Many other comments are comparing it with the Tour de France – but it is not, it is simply a money making excercise for the organisers. A better solution would have been to make the route a straight route thereby allowing roads to be opened after an hour or if there was desire to ride in a circle then hire Goodwood race track.
There was no consulatation prior to the event we simply received a leaflet through our door very unhelpfully telling us we couldn’t leave our house on the 23rd September and to park on our own drive. I cannot believe the complete disregard and cheek. Outraged resident.
APE1 wrote:
Many other comments are comparing it with the Tour de France – but it is not, it is simply a money making excercise for the organisers.
— APE1
You mean like the Tour de France?
BTBS, it looks as if you’ve a good contender to your Gammon of Road.cc crown.
Think of all the
Think of all the waaaaahmbulances that won’t be able to get to the poor motorists!
” all of whom cannot leave
” all of whom cannot leave their homes”
Really….?
Farmers have animals to feed,
Farmers have animals to feed, livestock to look after etc – it is a daily routine. Many farms are being blocked in this rural community. Too many people are commenting without any real knowledge of the area or the people. So a cycle ride is important to some, visiting grandchildren, the impending birth of a baby is important to others. Neither should impinge on the other. As for raising money for charity, it is still possible to donate to charity without riding a bike.
APE1 wrote:
Farmers have animals to feed, livestock to look after etc – it is a daily routine. Many farms are being blocked in this rural community. Too many people are commenting without any real knowledge of the area or the people. So a cycle ride is important to some, visiting grandchildren, the impending birth of a baby is important to others. Neither should impinge on the other. As for raising money for charity, it is still possible to donate to charity without riding a bike.
— APE1
Andy Loxwood, is that you?
APE1 wrote:
Yeah, like none of us live in a similar area. And none of us have ever seen this kind of whining, self-pitying NIMBY stuff before.
Farmers (and everyone else) can work around brief road closures just like they can work around resurfacing and other disruptions.
If you look at places where closed-roads events already take place – and not only us ‘orrible cyclists – you’ll find that there are always a few moaners making a disproportionate amount of noise while the vast majority accomodate or even embrace the event and get on with their lives. Instead of seeing it as a problem forward-thinking businesses use it as an opportunity and invariably do well. It’s an inexpensive way of promoting a business to more people or even just getting a bit of good PR in the local press.
Is this person for real or do
Is this person for real or are they just unhappy that they won’t be allowed out from under their bridge on that day…?
For real and with the almost
For real and with the almost identical whinings on Twitter.
162,000 leaflets sent out and
162,000 leaflets sent out and only 3000 “members”, that’s 0.02% of the possible number making the positive step to join the organisation.
It’s not exactly overwhelming support is it?
I have written to the
I have written to the protesters with a similar letter to that below. I also sent it to the local press, who have now asked for it to be sent in letter form for possible publication, which I have reproduced below. If it is published it will at least make what I hope are valid points to the wider readership, although probably too long and not adding fuel to the fire the press will, no doubt, be fanning.
Sir, the idea of the Stop Velo South (SVS) protest group organising an alternative to the Velo South event, for 2019, is very appealing. I would strongly recommend that SVS sell their proposal to the 15000 riders of Velo South, to attract them to the event, rather than antagonise them with attempts to have the event cancelled or disrupted. Clearly, any attempt to endanger participants would be likely to result in legal action against those responsible, only adding to the negativity.
I can certainly understand the anger at the alleged lack of consultation, but I am struggling to understand the true motivation of the protest group. If they are genuinely going to propose a better event then they will need to close roads for safety. And if they intend to make it fully inclusive, this closure would probably need to be for the entire weekend. This means that, according to SVS, local businesses will be affected and residents will be ‘trapped’ in their homes, unless they hold it in someone else’s back yard.
So that just leaves the commercial aspect. For the entrance fee, the organisers will incur a high level of cost just to manage an event of this scale. They will certainly be making a profit, and I can understand the annoyance that this profit is being made at the expense of some disruption, albeit for 1/365th of a year. However, what does not seem to be considered is that a huge amount of money is being raised for good causes. Sadly, because of a little disruption to their Sunday, SVS would deprive these good causes from receiving much needed money raised by these endurance cyclists.
It is disapponting for businesses that are negatively affected, although the Velo South website clearly shows businesses that are making the most of the event and details the help given to them. In many cases, I am sure that affected businesses could have done more to make use of the day, but I also appreciate that moaning and calling for compensation is a route requiring less effort. Those businesses prepared to get off their backsides and sell themselves are going to have a profitable day, especially as some of the ‘trapped’ residents may well take advantage of the festivities. I have no connection with any organiser or sponsor, but am registered to ride in your beautiful region, with my son. We have two nights accomodation booked and will be spending money in restaurants and, hopefully, celebrating our achievement with a beer or two. Multiply that by 15000 and your region is set to benefit financially. That is not to mention the subsequent holiday bookings once people are introduced to the area.
Clearly, not all businesses can take advantage and not all residents can do without a car, which is why Velo South have offered assistance where there are special needs. I sincerely hope that SVS is not limited to complaining and is capable of putting together an event that is so much better than Velo South – even though they don’t yet know what that benchmark is. I, for one, will support whatever they do – if it is professionally and safely executed. Unfortunately, my experience is that ‘walking the talk’ is much harder than simply complaining. I would be interested to read details of the plan, which, if they are holding it in 2019, should be well underway. Have they discussed it with the local councils? Have they got sponsors onboard? Have they planned a route that won’t effect any businesses or trap people in their homes? No, didn’t think so.
For those of you with a more tolerant nature, who wish to enjoy this spectacular day, I look forward to giving you a friendly wave.
Update: I have since heard from Velo South that they will not profit from this inaugural event and hope to make a £2 million donation to charity. I have updated the letter accordingly and resubmitted it to the press.
I live in West Sussex and
I live in West Sussex and some of the people I ride with are doing Velo South, so definitely some locals (for a given definition of “local”) will be riding that day.
Also, I live on the London to Brighton route. Several organised rides pass my house each year, including the BHF one in June when there are road closures and diversions to accommodate 30,000+ (I think) riders coming past all through the day. Despite it being a pain to get around by car that day, I don’t bitch about it – I sit out the front with my kids encouraging the riders (some of the riders really need encouraging by that time), and I find a cheery reminder that they still have Ditchling Beacon ahead of them always elicits a smile. At least, I think it’s a smile. 🙂
Our local Scout group has a refreshments stall on the village common which raises a lot for them, so the ride coming through the village benefits the village.
Glass half full vs glass half-empty.