Department for Transport moves to allow Monaco-style grand prix on public roads, but don’t expect to see F1 cars in London
Department for Transport moves to allow Monaco-style grand prix on public roads, but don’t expect to see F1 cars in London
Friday 7 April 2017 22.30 BST Last modified on Saturday 8 April 2017 16.48 BST
New rules paving the way for a Monaco-style street-based grand prix have come into force, allowing motor sports on closed public roads.
The changes, which came in on Monday, will clear the way for motor sports promoters to apply for permission to stage races on public highways in England, from small-scale local events to international races such as a city-based grand prix.
Andrew Jones, the transport minister, said the move would cement Britain’s position as a world leader in motor sports and highlighted the overwhelming support the measure received in a consultation.
“We had a consultation on this idea last year and there were 6,000 responses and it was overwhelmingly positive … Of the councils who responded, they again were overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “This could be a real boost for the economies of an area,” he added.
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Under the new rules, the Motor Sports Association, which governs motor sports in the UK, and Auto Cycle Union, which regulates motorcycle racing, will be authorised to issue race permits after satisfying councils, police and other local bodies that the events would be safe.
Local authorities will have the final say over whether a race can go ahead, and may require additional safety measures before, during or after the event as a condition of allowing a race to take place, the DfT said.
Rob Jones, chief executive of the MSA, welcomed the change, for which his organisation had campaigned. “We can now take motor sport to the people, and in turn those local hosting communities have the opportunity to benefit from the economic boost that these events may provide,” he said.
The changes come despite some consultation responses raising concerns that allowing racing on highways could act as a precedent for a “speed culture” among drivers. Transport for London, which oversees the capital’s highways, said an event route could attract “unofficial races where riders or drivers utilise the road at speed,” potentially leading to an increase in road deaths.
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