Tour de Yorkshire will make York residents "prisoners in own homes" says local man

People in York will become prisoners in their own homes during next month’s Tour de Yorkshire, according to one local resident.

Stage 2 of the race takes place on Saturday 2 May and runs from Selby to York. The arrival of the race in the city, where the men will ride two laps of a 20km circuit, will be preceded by a women’s criterium which will follow four laps of the same circuit.

Keith Woodland, who lives in Galtres Road, off Stockton Lane, Heworth, said that road closures would make it difficult for people to get around, particularly those with disabilities, and would also restrict access for emergency services.

City of York Council acknowledged that some people would be affected, but stressed it was trying to keep disruption to a minimum, reports the York Press.

“We will effectively be imprisoned for nine hours, at least, on the Saturday,” claimed Mr Woodland. “No thought seems to have gone into it. What access is there for carers and the emergency services?

“I don’t see that there is a lot in it for the ordinary people who will be trapped in this circle.”

He also queried the wisdom of bringing the race to York, which hosted the start of Stage 2 f last year’s Tour de France, an event that the city council spent £60,000 more than it had budgeted.

“You would think the council would have learnt a lesson and kept a low profile,” he insisted.

“There is a lack of thought for the people who live here and pay their way. I spoke to five or six of my neighbours yesterday and not one of them was in favour.”

Mr Woodland added: “People will say I am being anti-cyclist, but I am not. Thirty years ago, I used to cycle ten miles each way to work.”

In January, a report from City of York Council found that the visit of the Tour de France had brought £8.3 million to the city’s economy, and that 94 per cent of local residents believed the race had been positive for the local area.

It added that 44 per cent of people who had visited Yorkshire for the opening two stages of the race had made a return visit to the region since then.

Responding to Mr Woodland’s concerns, Tony Clarke, the council’s head of transport, said: “Due to the nature of the Tour de Yorkshire and the women’s race before it, road closures are necessary to ensure a safe event for both the riders and spectators.

“We have worked hard to minimise disruption to residents but some people in the city will be affected on May 2.

“All areas will be accessible on foot and by bicycle during the day and many city bus services will continue to run unaffected or to one of the two bus hubs, at the train station and Barbican.

“Residents who need to use their cars are asked to find an alternative parking arrangement outside the route.”

He added: “Residents with medical or care issues should contact tour [at] york.gov.uk and the council will work with them to address concerns.”