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Velothon Wales 2015 routeAnti-cycling feeling apparent as Velothon Wales draws near
Opposition to Velothon Wales appears to be growing as South Wales prepares to host 15,000 cyclists next Sunday. A number of people have taken to social media to express their annoyance with the disruption while signs announcing road closures have been daubed with the word ‘no’.
Around 15,000 cyclists will ride the Velothon Wales sportive on June 14 with a UCI-sanctioned pro race immediately afterwards in what promises to be a spectacular event. However, with so many people set to take part, disruption is inevitable.
On Thursday, Gwent Police posted a message to its Facebook page advising residents to plan ahead.
“The organisers are working closely with all local authorities to ensure that the event causes minimal disruption to local communities, with affected roads to be closed and re-opened section-by-section to ensure the overall duration of the closure is kept to an absolute minimum.”
Although the police are not directly involved, the post was soon gathering negative comments from those affected, with much of the usual talk of ‘road tax’ and insurance.
A number of local businesses have also had their say, concerned that they will lose out on business. Several have expressed a belief that details regarding road closures could have been better communicated to them.
A Velothon spokesman has admitted that there is likely to be an impact on the wider area with traffic forced off some major roads onto alternative routes. “We are asking people to plan ahead and give themselves extra time to get around the area if they need to travel on this day.”
Some public transport will also be affected and organisers say they are working with bus services to divert routes where possible, although some will be cancelled.
The Velothon Wales website has a section containing information on road closures. It states that after the events have passed through, roads will remain closed for a time “to ensure they are safe and secure for public use”. This will involve removal of barriers, cleaning the roads and dispersing crowds.
In contrast, this weekend’s Tour of Cambridgeshire appears to be taking place with minimal ill-feeling. The nation’s first closed-road Gran Fondo will see around 6,000 riders tackling a 128km route.
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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74 comments
Has anyone seen or heard from disilluioned (sic) or PeterW yet?
I know that 14,999 cyclists had a great time and many hundreds, if not 1,000s, of people spectated and gave their support at the side of the roads and many restaurants and bars were packed out over the weekend.
Can we forget all this as I'm desperately concerned about these two individuals?
Please, can someone put my mind at rest?
Thanks.
You think narrow minded NIMBY's think that much ?
More details, for me this is akin to attempted murder
“@AEWJ: @IslingtonCC 35mph crash due to pins on road #velothonwales pic.twitter.com/0veagbJ6rk”
You're obviously not in the UK, and the attitude is generally different abroad...
More seriously, I wonder how these complainers feel when they are following or participating in the hobby/activity of their choice.
Disruption cayused by football crowds.
The effect on city centre parking for concerts/Chelsea Flower Show.
The effect on parking in popular tourist destinations.
And the list goes on.
Or is this how their selfishness manifests itself. I wonder whether these complainers have no parking signs outside their homes, yet are happy to park in front of someone else's home.
This selfishness is something I can't get my head around.
It's the same with the tacks. Someone has clearly worked out that putting tacks down is the best way to get their point across.
Would they be as understanding if I up the stakes and slash their tyres in order to make my point?
I doubt it.
it is always quite interesting to see how upset people get about roads being closed for a few hours. In my area over the last couple of years at least two main roads were closed for months each due to landslips yet despite all the weeping and gnashing of teeth the sky didn't fall in and sun still came up in the morning and people just took a different route. All of us have had to deal with a local event haven't we? sports events, military parades, fairs and carnivals, not to mention snow, floods, trees, and accidents caused by the type of folks for whom taking an extra 30 seconds to get to the supermarket or their hair appointment would be the end of civilisation as we know it, just the kind of people, in fact, who moan most about roads being closed.
Reports on twitter from many sources that someone has laid tacks down. Can you believe the scum who would do such a thing ?
Our last word on the subject, the organisers have recognised the problem, made a small change and put in a local access.
Thank you enjoy your day and raise the money for charity.
Why are Gwent valleys people so anti this event? So many other brilliant places to ride in Wales that wouldn't draw hostility to this extent. If it causes that much upset, move next years event to Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire or Mid Wales. Better roads, cleaner air. Not one to cave in to ignorance, but ultimately no big loss if I don't turn a wheel in this part of the world.
...It is organised ... by a company on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Due to this extensive cycling event there will be road closures in Monmouthshire.
Road
Closed between:
Usk Road (Caerleon-Usk) 7.30am – 15.30pm
A472 (Usk – Little Mill) 7.45am – 15.30pm
A4042 (Little Mill – Llanellen) 8.00am – 16.40pm
B4269 (Llanellen – Llanfoist) 8.00am – 17.00pm
B4246 (Llanfoist – Blaenavon) 8.00am – 17.00pm
If you have any queries about the closures please call the Velothon hotline 0292 144 4880 or email route [at] velothonwales.co.uk
March 6th Wales online.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/velothon-wales-route...
Head over to the Daily Mail / South Wales Argus sites, you'll love it over there.
Why ? I don't read those papers.
Reasonable notification on this site too.
August 14th 2014:
http://road.cc/content/news/126597-velothon-wales-closed-road-sportive-u...
March 7th 2015:
http://road.cc/content/news/145015-velothon-wales-pro-race-and-sportive-...
April 8th 2015:
http://road.cc/content/news/147857-consultation-begins-velothon-wales-ro...
So explain to me why I would look at a cycling website ? It may have been top of the agenda in your lifestyle but there has been nothing on local radio or TV in South Wales. The first I knew about it was on a police Facebook page, who were also very quick to say it was nothing to do with them contact the organisers. My complaint is directed at the organisers who still haven't answered my legitimate access question. Their best effort so far is to direct me onto a road that is also shut. All westbound exit from my village is closed as is the A48. I am not anti cyclist I own one but I am very anti the organisers of this event whose communications are nearlly all directed at the participants and not the general public. If you want public support and crowds to participate then tell us earlier.
The organisers made information available to the media, you can't blame them if it wasn't broadcast or you missed it. Perhaps it's been a busy news year in your neck of the woods. Maybe in future you should try buying a newspaper, or reading a free one that probably gets delivered on a weekly basis.
I couldn't care less about public support / crowd participation, just suggestions...
i do blame them for the lack of information and perhaps cynically cleverly keeping quiet. I am still waiting for them to explain how I get out of my village sensibly. Perhaps I'll park my car on the hard shoulder of the M4 ?
I don't know which local authority area you are in, i'm in Caerphilly myself, but I always make a point of researching online to find out if any events may disrupt my journey to work as I work most Sundays. Caerphilly Council posted the road closures online on the 18th of March so I had enough time to book the day off.
Possibly your local authority did not do this? Or did you not even bother to look? You have to be a little bit proactive after all.
Look on the bright side, at least you have plenty notice for the next four years so there will be no excuse not to plan ahead,
From the Velothon Wales web site
PRESS RELEASES
14th May - 1 month to go, Full Road Closures Announced
9th April 2015 - Pros and Sportive Riders Take on the Tumble KOM Challenge at Velothon Wales
19th March 2015 - Teenager takes on Velothon Wales after overcoming mental illness
6th March 2015 - Official Velothon Wales Route Revealed
12th February 2015 - John, 77, looks to put youngsters in a spin at Velothon Wales
2nd January 2015 - There's no stopping Sophie!
29th October 2014 – Velothon Wales sells out in less than six weeks
25th September 2014 – Velothon Wales opens for entries having sold over 9,000 during Priority Booking Window
9th September – Velothon Wales pre-registrations to close this week following overwhelming demand
13th August 2014 - World class international cycling event comes to Wales
One of the few good LD policies the last GE was to remove the tolls. Nonsense you pay to get into Wales but not out of it.
Going off topic but this isn't true. Most motorists that go over the bridge in one direction will return in the other direction. Instead of paying half the amount in both directions (and creating two hold ups) you pay the full amount in one direction. I would assume the fact that you pay whilst heading into Wales is purely incidental and based on analysis of traffic flow during rush hour, sensible locations for the kiosks, etc etc rather than a logic of charging people to enter Wales only.
Maybe if going on the M4towards Bristol/London but to get to work I go M5-M50-A40-M4 and get home M4-M5 across the bridge
Hence my use of the word "most".
Indeed. I'm sure plenty of people would pay good money to get out of Wales.
As a moaning old git my issue is not with the riders but the organisers. Despite your knowledge of the event it has come as complete surprise to a lot of the general public. It may have been in the paper, briefly but surprise surprise lots of us don't buy papers , nor do we scan the Internet and Facebook continually for information such as this. The first time most people found out was when the road closure notices appeared.
Plus the information given by the organisers when they choose to answer has been inaccurate. The response to my query was to direct me onto a road that is also closed.
So please don't be so selfish and make snide comments about genuine complaints by the non cycling public.
What do you want them to do, pop round to your houses and tell each of you personally?
Do what happened up here, a mail shot to every house within the location of the route, tell everyone. Have local meetings that everyone is free to attend
Perhaps give me more than 7 days notice so I can plan.
Plan what, a newspaper/internet reading class? Communication will only ever work if all parties want to exchange. The organisers of this event could have been trying to let you know about this for months, but if you make no effort to keep abreast of affairs they don't stand a chance. I heard about this last July/August and registered in September and I live in Hertfordshire, so there must have been something going on. I know that they have also run competitions locally to design the medal etc. So it's hardly been radio silence.
Can't you just leave your car around the corner on a different road if you need to go out? I just don't get why it is such a big deal...
With the exception of one statement, Disilluioned (sic) has complained throughout using the first person singular. This is not a problem for the local community, it is one selfish individual who cannot bear that others can get out and enjoy themselves. The sort of selfishness that I personally find despicable and any rational human being should be ashamed of.
It's one weekend out of 51 others.
Two days out of 365 and you are so concerned about a minor inconvenience that you might or might not suffer.
Try looking at the bigger picture and you might see how these 14,999 riders are benefitting you in other areas of your life over the rest of the year.
Take a look in the mirror and grow up!
Why do you find it necessary to be rude ? Does that nasty habit develop as you grow up ?
Our local community council was not consulted by the organisers and the information posted by both county council and the organisers is factually incorrect.
In response to my question the advice given was for us all to make our way out of the village and use a road that is also closed.
This is a cycling website, just in case you hadn't noticed. What did you expect - maybe you should try the Daily Mail comments section, you may be within your comfort zone there.
Its just a few hours on a Sunday. Can you really not manage without your car for a few hours?
Where did you plan on going that is so important that it has to occur at exactly the same time as 15000+ people want to do something else?
Cant you see how sad that makes you look?
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