Closed road motor sport steps closer to reality
In a huge boost for British motor sports, new primary legislation
facilitating closed road-events on mainland Britain has been approved
by the government.
The Deregulation Bill achieved Royal Assent on
Thursday 26 March. It contains a framework for running motor sports on
closed public roads without needing a costly Act of Parliament to
suspend the Road Traffic Act for each event.
This
news is the culmination of a long campaign by the Motor Sports
Association that began before the last General Election in 2010. Since
then MPs have been targeted with information to demonstrate the
potential value of motor sport events to local communities. There has
been cross-party support for the campaign and the required legislation.
Rob
Jones, MSA Chief Executive, said: "This landmark development is the
result of a lot of hard work by a small handful of people behind the
scenes, with vital backing from thousands of supporters within the
British motor sport community.
"In particular we must recognise
the invaluable contributions of both the Rt Hon Ken Clarke, the
Minister responsible for driving the legislation, and Ben Wallace MP,
who has relentlessly championed the cause of motor sport within
Westminster these past five years and kept the pressure on his
colleagues when necessary. I would also like to thank all those who
have lent their backing, whether by responding to consultation, writing
to their MP or simply by voicing their support."
Before the
primary legislation can become available to event organisers, secondary
legislation – in the form of a statutory instrument detailing the
enabling powers – is required. The MSA will work closely with the
relevant stakeholders to achieve this as soon as possible following the
General Election in May.
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