Government launches consultation on Closed Road motor sport

[G]

Taken from here: https://www.msauk.org/site/cms/newsarticle.asp?chapter=1&nid=1618 .

he Motor Sports Association – governing body of four wheel motor sport – has welcomed the launch of a government consultation regarding a proposed change in the law that would allow motor sport events to take place on closed public roads in Britain.

The Road Traffic Act states that it is illegal to organise or take part in a race or trial of speed on the public highway, but the MSA has been pushing successive governments to devolve power to local authorities to enable them to suspend the Road Traffic Act without having to resort to an Act of Parliament.

Such an amendment would enable competitive motor sport events such as stage rallies, sprints and hill climbs to take place on closed public roads, as already happens across mainland Europe, in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

The MSA is now calling on the motor sport community to respond to the consultation and demonstrate the huge groundswell of support there is for these proposals. The governing body has produced a guide to the process and template answers to some of the questions posed by the consultation. This can be found on the MSA website: www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/newsletter/ClosedRoads.pdf

Rob Jones, MSA Acting Chief Executive, hailed the consultation as a huge step forward for the MSA’s long-running closed roads campaign:

“This is the news that British motor sport has been waiting for. It represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the landscape of our sport, allowing local communities across the country to host motor sport events and enjoy all the excitement and economic benefit they bring.

“However to make that vision a reality, we need everybody involved with our sport – competitors and volunteers, clubs and organisers – to respond positively to the government consultation before the 10 April deadline.

“The government’s enthusiasm for motor sport, and its launch of a public consultation, reflects years of hard work behind the scenes. It’s now up to us all to grab this chance to take the closed road campaign a big step closer to the finish line.”

Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, three-time F1 world champion, said: “I whole-heartedly support the initiative to introduce the opportunity for motor sport to utilise appropriate public roads for sporting events. The British motor sport industry is one of the UK’s most successful enterprises and we indeed lead the world in this field. There are many other countries that use their roads on a temporary basis for significant sporting events that attract worldwide interest. In many cases it can even progress safety standards on those same roads for the benefit of the general public and all road users. The MSA (Motor Sports Association) are very conscientious regarding all matters involving safety.”

Nigel Mansell CBE, former F1 world champion, said: "I have seen first-hand the very significant impact of motor sport on the economy of the Isle of Man and Jersey, so this would be a great move forward for the sport and would bring visitors and pride to parts of the country that wish to stage such events. I am delighted that this government is embracing motor sport which will assist the UK's world-leading position, and improve the sport's ability to help provide opportunities and focus for young people."

For further quotes from motor sport, the industry and local authority figures please click here: www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/Closed_Roads_Quotes.pdf

For a Q&A on the subject please click here: www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/Closed_Roads_Q&A.pdf

For the MSA guide to the consultation and suggested responses please click here: www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/newsletter/ClosedRoads.pdf

For the Consultation Document please click here: https://bit.ly/1mHgBq3

[stinkwheel]

I cannot encourage people enough to reply to this consultation in a positive light.

I am astounded it has actually made the light of day and it represents a massive oppertunity.

Reply.

If you can't be bothered reading into it, the correct reply is Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, No. Thats' yes to Q1 to 4 and no to Q5.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[G]

I've always been irked by the way that while Britain is seen as a world leader it motorsport, rather than encouraging new talent like Spain and Italy do, we seem to be actively making it hard for the people at the controls to do it.

Surely, it can only help the industry if we encourage the sport on all levels, so there's even more of the small and large industries that get real feedback in their back yard for their products.

[Rogerborg]

tl;dr

Email to: msc at-symbol culture dot gsi dot gov dot uk

Give your name and address and say that you are responding as an individual (unless you're representing a group).

Give answers to these questions:

Overall Proposal
1. Do you agree with the proposal to give local authorities the powers to allow motor sport events on public roads, subject to the local consultation? If you disagree please give reasons.

I agree.

Road Closures
2. Do you agree that local authorities should be able to close roads for motor sport events? If you disagree please give reasons.

I agree.

Suspension of Speed limit
3. Do you agree that local authorities should have the power under certain circumstances to suspend the speed limit and applicable road traffic regulations? If there are any traffic regulations you would prefer not to see suspended, please give reasons.

I agree.



Event Safety
4. Do you agree that the Motor Sports Association and the Auto Cycle Union should be the “Authorising Authority” for any motor sport events on public roads?

I agree.

5. Do you agree that the Sports Ground Safety Authority could provide valuable expertise and guidance to ensure motor sport events on roads can be delivered safely?

No [why get another quango involved?]


Local Traffic Authorities
6. Would you consider working with an authorising body to host an on road event in your local authority?

[up to you]


7. Do you anticipate any potentially negative implications from motor sport events being run by authorising bodies in your local area?

No.


8. Do you envisage the need for further powers in order to hold a safe and efficient event?

No.
____________________
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Clutchy]

Sent


Only downside is every msa official I've worked with, has let the 'weekend power' go to their heads making them an A class ****
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Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[marlc0]

Sent.

I'd love to see the saltburn hill climb come back, fingers crossed!

Also shared on Facers, go social networking!
____________________
2010 Kawasaki ER6-f - Given to the Mrs.
2016 Triumph Tiger 800

[yen_powell]

The only type of motor sport that could be run on London roads would be things like car rallying, Enduros, motocross etc. Anything normally used on a race track would lose large pieces of itself on the first few sunken manholes or trenches.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Rogerborg]

One of the benefits of road racing is that it might see a few roads getting improved.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[G]

[CaNsA]

Cheers borg.

Sent