Reader’s letter: Inflated numbers for cycle race spectators

The asserted 182,500 spectators on stage four of last year’s Tour of Britain between Edwinstowe and Newark is wildly inaccurate.

This figure is provided in an Economic Assessment Report, which was prepared by the organiser — Sweetspot / Tour of Britain Ltd – a copy of which was provided by the East Midlands Mayor’s office in response to a Freedom of Information request.

It is admitted that this report has been part of the assessment to fund the stage between Derby and Newark following a presentation by British Cycling, which has taken over the organisation of the Tour of Britain.

An article was published by Newark Advertiser on March 14 based on what appears to be a Nottinghamshire County Council media release. That article uses data from the Economic Assessment Report and claims £4.69m nett value to Nottinghamshire economy.

However it does not take into account losses to businesses, delays to road transport due to rolling road block by police and delays to residents and others.

It is obvious that the matter of spectator numbers directly influences all financial calculations relating to the local economy. It is this value which has been the focus of the local authority’s justification to the public to stage these events using public monies.

Over recent days I have painstakingly reviewed the entire ITV4 broadcast footage (available on the web) which has enabled a careful assessment of the spectators along the entire route minute by minute.

It is possible to establish a reasonably accurate provisional estimate of those noted to be spectating — aided by the facility to pause the image.

That provisional total is in the region of 15,000 — a fraction of the number claimed by the organiser — and now submitted in support of funding by British Cycling Event Ltd.

It was also noted that there were schoolchildren in some 21 locations. It is also obvious that many spectators are local residents — not likely to spend any money.

From previous FOI Act responses from Nottinghamshire County Council covering previous tours in the area — the total has been between £175,000 and £210,000 of public funds.

As of August 29 a specialised website (www.procycling. com) lists 20 teams but details of only 34 riders (a team would normally comprise six riders).

This is not a “World Tour” event — four “World Tour” teams have entered. The British Cycling event clashes with the World Tour status event currently underway in Spain. — R. FELL, via email.