Newark and Sherwood District Council gives financial backing to Newark Cycle Race set to peddle £188,000 into the area
Financial backing was given to a Newark-based cycle event which could peddle around £188,000 into the area.
The planned Newark Cycle Race, described in council papers as something that could garner national attention, would attract up to 3,000 spectators and hopefully see those people pumping money into the local economy.
Set to take place this year on Friday, July 29 — the second-busiest Friday of the summer — the 1.2km early evening event will be the series finale in British Cycling’s calendar.
It will also include youth races, a regional semi-pro and junior race, as well as a community ride aimed at younger children and families — creating an energetic cycling atmosphere within the Royal Market.
With the route being within the town centre, a number of roads will have to be closed — including Cartergate and Lombard Street.
Members of the economic development committee at Newark and Sherwood District Council were told the authority would need to invest £30,000 to cover infrastructure, traffic management and road closures, communications and marketing, and prize funding.
Member Rita Crowe said: “We did actually have a cycle race in 2017, the evening before the Tour of Britain. It was a small event but I have to say it was extremely successful.
“I’m also delighted because I think people are going to come in [to the town] and hopefully spend. I don’t cycle but I’m passionate about watching cycling, so I’ll certainly be there for that.”
Roger Blaney said: “We are talking about the July 29, which is the second-busiest Friday night of the summer.
“I’m very mindful of the tailback of traffic in the late afternoon on the A46. It is crucial we have proper signage at the Farndon roundabout and on Millgate to say ‘if you go down there, you can’t turn around’.”
'Significant amount' of Tour of Britain 2022 to pass through Newark and Sherwood
Chairman Keith Girling added the traffic management would be massive because of the date and time of the race.
He said: “I’m sure there will be an uproar from some people who don’t want anything to happen or change no matter how good the event is.
“That’s where we’ve got to be strong and say ‘look, this is a benefit for the town and it’s not every day’.
“We’ve got to encourage people to come back into the town and this is another method of doing that.”
The event will host 400 plus riders, from under 12s to senior UK Olympic hopefuls, through a thrilling night of racing and will form part of the Newark Cultural Heart roll-out — as well as bolster plans for Newark to become a 20-minute cycle town.
