We get constantly abused by car drivers who think we have no right to be on the roads yet we take it in our stride and rarely take complaint further than back to our wives! How is it that one complaint by a resident is taken so seriously with no right to appeal that we have to be deprived of our sport. I am not aware of all facts but doubt any marshall was abusive but may have been provoked by some ignorant local into an out of character response.
I do hope that the police allow a meeting to discuss the future of races on this circuit as i feel one isolated incident does not warrant this response. If we don't stand up for ourselves then we might as well hang up our bibshorts and say goodbye to road racing in this country.
Over the years this course has been the but of complaints by residents moaning about cyclists charging through THEIR(?) village. I do not beleive the marshals were in any way abusive or threatening but,it is not me that needs to be convinced. I am being notified by letter later in the week and hope this will state who are the complainants and to what the complaint is founded on.
I would think the police approve course on safety grounds. Was it public disorder from the marshalls? I would ask the police for an official report with right to reply. Better to remove the bad marshalls (if proven) than the course?
John, really sorry to here this you must be especially gutted what with all the work you will have put in. At the end of the day it means less trouble for the modern police "force" to stop it than to allow it. They will take the easy option,given half a chance. I think it is inevitable that in this country cycle racing of any sort will be relegated to closed circuit, as motor racing has been. The only truly surprising thing is that they didn't use safety as the excuse this time.
Is there no right to reply, or have a meeting to discuss? What do the BCF do about this? Is it possible the complaining person is actually anti-cycling? I can't imagine many of the marshalls I know being abusive.
Let's not take this lying down, we pay taxes and it's a public highway.
Hi, as you will probably be aware I organised a LVRC RR on the Severn Stoke circuit earlier this month. I was contacted last evening by the West Mercia events co-ordinator informing me that after complaints by residents of Kinnersley this course will no longer receive approval to be used as a venue for cycle races.
The main complainant cited abusive behaviour by marshals and was prevented from walking on the highway to reach his home. This incedently I do not believe but, unfortunately the powers that be do. This will have implications for the summer RR in August and could impact on the time trials in the surrounding area. If you are organising an event in this area in the near future I would contact the events organiser asap.
This would appear to be another nail in the coffin for road races etc on British roads.
