Sport Minister Hugh Robertson has repeated that the government will not fund next year’s Tour de France Grand Depart in Yorkshire beyond the £10 million already pledged to support the event.
The BBC reports that while visiting Yorkshire on Tuesday, Mr Robertson said that the allocation of funding was “a very generous grant” compared to other events.
However, Yorkshire police bosses have complained that organisers do not appear to have properly assessed the cost of supervising the two days of racing in Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan says her force could face a £1 million shortfall in policing the race.
Mr Robertson said: "If you look at the money given to comparable events such as the Rugby League World Cup, that's about half-a-million pounds, £10m is a very generous grant from central government that will enable Yorkshire to run an absolutely fantastic event next year.
"I'm confident that everybody here is focused on delivering a fantastic event for the county for cycling and for this country's sporting reputation."
Event co-ordinator TDF 2014 Ltd said it was in talks with police forces.
Tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire's chief executive Gary Verity, said: "In just over nine months' time the world's leading cyclists will be lining up in Leeds for the start of what will undoubtedly be one of the proudest moments in Yorkshire's sporting history.
"We expect millions of people to be lining the roadside creating an atmosphere not seen before in the UK.
"Yorkshire is proud to be playing such a pivotal part in this global sporting event, the county will be ready to welcome the world and to host an unforgettable Grand Départ."
16 thoughts on “Sport Minister Hugh Robertson: No more money for Tour de France Yorkshire Grand Départ”
Quote:Mr Robertson said that
Right, and how do ‘other events’ compare in size and prestige to the Tour de France.
The comparison with the Rugby League World Cup is fatuous, given that the organisers there are able to make money back from being able to sell tickets.
£10 million “very generous”
£10 million “very generous” compared to other events – remind me, what percentage of the Olympic spending is that?
Olympics – £10 billion – so they’ve given 0.1% of that for the Grand Depart.
Bargain!
Sod the government. If they
Sod the government. If they don’t want to support the fastest growing sport in the country that’s fine. Put the Grand Depart on Kickstarter, it’ll raise £10 from every cyclist in the country.
I still want to know what the hell is going on in Essex because there’s a whole third stage that no-one seems to have mentioned for about 9 months.
£1 million shortfall?
£1 million shortfall? Suggesting that policing it costs in excess of £1 million?
Wow.
Comparing three stages of the
Comparing three stages of the TDF to the Olympics is a bit daft. One required a MASSIVE building project, while the other requires closing road, Police and some ‘oooh’ fireworks. £10 million quid is a lot.
iamelectron wrote:Comparing
This. The TdF is a significant event, but it uses existing infrastructure. If they can’t do it for £10m over three days, then they need to find another way to finance it, without depending on central govt. funding!
iamelectron wrote:Comparing
That’s exactly my point. The TdF is a bargain, the Olympics is… well, something else. Urban regeneration, maybe.
A parallel often raised is
A parallel often raised is the cost of policing away from football grounds, as clubs pay for the internal etc, but I supose North Yorkshire don’t have that to worry about 🙂
It shows a silo mentality and lack of partnership working , why can’t Ms Mulligan and others look at the benefits to the community they serve and that their support might reflect well on their service
But I supose there is ‘form’ here , look what happend to the Tour of Britain in North Yorkshire!!
I am glad the government have
I am glad the government have stood up to this, they should have had funding in place before they even entered a bid….like Edinburgh….just hand it over and Edinburgh will take care of it 👿
Cent Government using invalid
Cent Government using invalid arguments to justify some press spin about being firm and resolute etc etc yawn yawn
Non of this will be remembered when the TdF leaves Yorkshire to head South next year.
Oh and if Edinburgh had won the bid no doubt the (untested and destined to remain theory) contingencies implied in their bid would also by now be being picked over by the sour grapes and metro-snob mob.
How to turn something good
How to turn something good into a political argument…… in one easy lesson =D>
I hope they’re really proud of themslves!
Let’s not forget, the police
Let’s not forget, the police cost the Great British taxpayer a lot of money to basically do not a great deal on an annual basis, why would anyone think a 3 day sporting event would be cheap?
Conservatives are lizards in
Conservatives are lizards in human skinsuits.
sorry, showing my colours.
I’ve mentioned this before
I’ve mentioned this before and it just shows the depth people go to to try and spoil the occasion.
When there is a large football match, demonstration, concert or whatever that requires added Police involement above what is normally on duty then the force in question, provided its well in advance cancels the rest days of those officers and they work for free getting a lieu day back to take at another time. It does not cost the force anything for overtime and the PCC is basically lying or, as most PCC’s are concerned, doesn’t know what they are doing.
A prime example of this was the Olympic torch, Our rest days were cancelled and it cost the force nothing.
How exactly does a police
How exactly does a police stations policing costs far exceed 1 million pounds???
North Yorkshire Police
North Yorkshire Police despise cycle racing sadly – their hostility doesn’t help matters.