have been counted throughout this proposal response as one response, though each has been acknowledged. 375 of the responses were from members of the public answering as individuals in favour of the proposals, but only providing a generic supportive statement. 27 of the responses were from members of the public answering as individuals against the proposals, offering generally negative statements. 553 of the responses were from members of the public who provided individual responses to the questions outlined in the proposal, though did not necessarily answer every question. 19 of the responses were sent by members of the public providing neutral responses, not focusing on specific questions. Responses were received from a range of local councils such as Lincolnshire County Council, Highways and Traffic, East Herts Council, Tendring District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Westminster City Council. Several police forces responded including North Yorkshire Police, Derbyshire Police, Police Scotland Road Policing and the Association of Chief Police Officers. There was also a good level of response from other organisations that have an interest in road usage and from motoring organisations, such as the Motor Sport Association, British Cycling, the British Horse Society and the Ramblers Association. There was support for the majority of the questions put forward in the public consultation and having carefully reviewed all the responses, we propose to finalise the regulations in line with the consultation proposals. This is subject to one minor clarification, that though the Sports Ground Safety Authority should not have a formal role in the running or organisation of closed road racing events, their advice may be sought by Local Authorities who might want to draw on their expertise, especially in regards to crowd management. The detailed replies to the consultation questions together with the Government response are considered in the following chapters. This response document has been jointly prepared by the Department for Culture, and Sport, and the Department for Transport.
events on public roads, must consider all the minor highways including the public rights of way network The South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership felt that it was appropriate for local authorities to “allow” or “permit” an event to take place, but not to enable the local authority to “run” or “undertake” an event as is implied in paragraphs 37 and 39 of the consultation document. Of the individuals and organisations who responded against Local Authorities being given powers to allow motor sporting events on public roads, the following additional concerns were cited: Local Authorities would be put in an unfair position because the dependency to fully risk assess, incorporate control measures, and agree traffic management and diversions for such specialist events. The Derbyshire Police commented that the profit levels from on road motor sport events needs full evidencing because it has to be balanced against traffic disruption, noise pollution, local business and community impacts. Transport for London and Westminster City Council both raised concerns about racing in London as the structure of London is such that permission would have city wide implications and an impact on London far greater than the physical location of the proposed event. Transport for London suggested that the authority to permit these deregulatory powers should be overseen by the Greater London Authority in consultation with London Boroughs, highways authorities and emergency services because of the potential impact on London as a city. Some raised concerns that allowing motor racing on public roads would set a precedent that public roads can be used for racing, potentially embracing a ‘speed culture’. The detrimental impact on the government’s green agenda in terms of both noise and air pollution was a concern for the majority of those opposed to this question. Government Response: The Government notes that the majority of respondents agrees with the proposal to give local authorities powers to allow motor sport events on public roads, subject to local consultation, and that local authorities are well placed to decide where, when
Government Response: The Government notes that the majority of respondents were in favour of the Motor Sports Association and the Auto Cycle Union being the Authorising Authorities for any motor sport events on public roads in England. They are responsible for accrediting vehicles, drivers and events and have many decades of experience of governing and authorising motor sport in the UK and, in the case of the Motor Sport Association, already authorise those motor competitions on public roads in Great Britain which do not involve racing or trials of speed. We propose that the appointment of bodies that may authorise the holding of competitions on the highway should be by regulations made by the Secretary of State, in a similar way to the current regulations appointing authorising bodies for both off-road and on-road competitions and events. We will take into account the respondents’ views when drafting the Regulations naming the authorising bodies. Following devolution, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government are responsible for the function of authorising both on-road and off-road motor sport events in their countries and any new legislation will need to enable the national Governments to regulate to appoint their Ministers to be the authorising body for motorsport events in their countries. A number of respondents commented that local highway authorities (referred to here as traffic authorities) should be appointed as authorising authority. The government recognises that local traffic authorities have the statutory responsibility for most roads in their areas, and that the decision whether or not to close a road or roads for a motorsport event must be for them. But the government recognises that the Motor Sports Association and the Auto Cycle Union have the experience, together with the knowledge and resources, in authorising events and proposes that they should be the authorising bodies. It is for the organisers of an event to approach the local traffic authority if they wish to hold a motor sport event on a closed road; but if the traffic authority considers that the road should not be closed then the event would not be able to be held in that form. It would be open for a traffic authority to constitute a safety advisory and licensing group to consider the issue. Question 5 Question 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?”