CONCERNS have been raised over potential disruption from road closures in Warwick for the Commonwealth Cycling Road Races.
County councillor and former Warwick mayor John Holland is demanding organisers publish details asap of how residents and businesses could be affacted by the event, which starts and finishes in the town’s St Nicholas Park, on Sunday August 7.
Coun Holland said: “It’s a great honour for us to be hosting the races and it will really put Warwick on the map, but I have some concerns over the potential for disruption for residents that live on or near the roads being closed.”
“The route will create an island in the middle of Warwick, where residents, businesses and other venues could be cut off.”
“As August 7 gets closer I think we need some clarification on how people are going to get in and out of the area that looks like it is being closed for a large part of the day. I know emergency vehicles will be able to gain access, but I am also concerned about the needs of others, such as vulnerable people who need carers to visit.”
“It’s wonderful that Warwick will attract thousands of visitors that day and it will be good for businesses who will want to make the most of the opportunity. I also think they will need plenty of warning about how to get staff ‘to and fro’ and manage essential deliveries.”
“Further information on road closures was promised in early 2022 and as we are approaching the end of March now, I would ask that detailed plans are shared as soon as possible to avoid any problems on the day.”
Birmingham 2022 director of venues, Dominic Olliff, said Birmingham 2022, Warwickshire County Council and other partners were working very closely to ensure key information about the Road Race was shared with all residents and local businesses as soon as finalised, which was expected to be in the next couple of weeks.
He added: Emergency access will of course be facilitated at all times and the needs of vulnerable people are also being carefully considered by the experienced organising team.
“The partners have already held a community drop-in session in Warwick town centre and more sessions are planned, with two scheduled for early April, details of which will be shared very soon. These will allow residents and business owners to come and speak to the organisers, so that they can raise any queries that they have. Meetings have also been taking place every month with local councillors, and we have been very grateful for their input.
“The full route was unveiled back in October to provide people with as much notice as possible that they may be impacted by this one-day event, and the detailed road closure information will be published at birmingham2022.com very soon.
“There are 19 sports and 15 venues for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, so the release of information has been carefully staggered and this process started last week.
“We look forward to providing more information as part of our Birmingham 2022 ‘Get Set’ campaign to stakeholders and all of the residents and business owners in the local area in the next few weeks, and we are very much looking forward to staging this event in and around Warwick, as it will provide a fabulous backdrop for these exciting races.”
Some 160 cyclists from across the Commonwealth ware set to take part in Men’s and Women’s Road Race events.
