Agenda item
Prudential Ride London-Surrey
Decision:
RESOLVED:
2. That Surrey County Council does not continue to host the original 100 mile-event closed road event in Surrey after 2021 but that the council will remain open-minded to and explore opportunities for smaller, less disruptive events (subject to the COVID pandemic and any associated restrictions) that might inspire cycling for everyday journeys, rather than events focussed primarily on sports cycling.
Reason for Decision:
There are reasonable arguments in favour of continuing to support the 100-mile closed road event such as inspiring more cycling, generating grants for sporting and recreation organisations in Surrey and raising money for national charities. However, these benefits are set against the strong concerns from many Surrey residents over the disruption and negative impact on local businesses and services from the event, and concerns over anti-social behaviour of a small minority of sports cyclists.
With these finely balanced arguments in mind, a better deal for Surrey residents was sought from the event organisers to ensure that the negative impacts of the event on local communities was sufficiently outweighed by the benefits to the wider community. These efforts were led by the Leader, Cabinet Member and relevant senior officers, and specifically sought a financial contribution to provide thousands more children with cycle training across Surrey’s schools, but regrettably this commitment was not forthcoming from London Marathon Events.
However, there are smaller events that could be hosted in the county that are less disruptive events and would build on the County Council’s existing services to inspire and enable more people to cycle for everyday journeys. This approach would more closely align with the Council’s corporate objectives, compared with longer events focused primarily on sports cycling.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Communities provided details of the Prudential Ride London Surrey (PRLS) cycling events which were conceived as an Olympic Legacy and have taken place in Surrey annually since August 2013. The main 100-mile event route is based upon the route for the 2012 Olympic cycling road race events. The event requires a number of road closures and for 2021 event organisers are planning a shorter event which would focus on women and families. A consultation was undertaken on the future of the event beyond 2021 and there was a marginal majority of 53% in favour of the event. Lengthy discussions took place with event organisers around financial contributions towards a cycle scheme for pupils but this was not successful. The council would therefore focus on smaller events working alongside Active Surrey and with active travel proposals.
The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning stated that the race impacted her division and that residents had strong feelings on both sides of the argument. Cycling pelotons throughout the year caused disruption to residents and residents felt that they have done their fair share of hosting the event. Cycling events could and would be organised locally. The Cabinet Member for Transport stated his disappointment that the organisers of the event did not wat to support with the funding of Bikeability. The County Council would therefore fund the scheme themselves.
The Leader explained that he had ridden the race three times but recognition of the disruption caused needed to be taken seriously. The Council would be open to further conversations with organisers but financial benefits needed to be taken seriously.
RESOLVED:
2. That Surrey County Council does not continue to host the original 100 mile-event closed road event in Surrey after 2021 but that the council will remain open-minded to and explore opportunities for smaller, less disruptive events (subject to the COVID pandemic and any associated restrictions) that might inspire cycling for everyday journeys, rather than events focussed primarily on sports cycling.
Reason for Decision:
There are reasonable arguments in favour of continuing to support the 100-mile closed road event such as inspiring more cycling, generating grants for sporting and recreation organisations in Surrey and raising money for national charities. However, these benefits are set against the strong concerns from many Surrey residents over the disruption and negative impact on local businesses and services from the event, and concerns over anti-social behaviour of a small minority of sports cyclists.
With these finely balanced arguments in mind, a better deal for Surrey residents was sought from the event organisers to ensure that the negative impacts of the event on local communities was sufficiently outweighed by the benefits to the wider community. These efforts were led by the Leader, Cabinet Member and relevant senior officers, and specifically sought a financial contribution to provide thousands more children with cycle training across Surrey’s schools, but regrettably this commitment was not forthcoming from London Marathon Events.
However, there are smaller events that could be hosted in the county that are less disruptive events and would build on the County Council’s existing services to inspire and enable more people to cycle for everyday journeys. This approach would more closely align with the Council’s corporate objectives, compared with longer events focused primarily on sports cycling.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]
Supporting documents:
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