Isle of Wight Council Leader Dave Stewart has confirmed that the Isle of Wight Motorcycle Road Races being considered for October 2021 will not be taking place.
As previously reported by Island Echo, plans had begun to be formed for the Isle of Wight Road Races to take place in the West Wight, following the postponement of the Diamond Races.
Speaking after Councillor Stewart and Councillor Steve Hastings completed a series of meetings with local Parish Councils and following discussions with both officers and organisers he confirmed that an event in 2021 will not be happening.
Councillor Stewart said:
“In a year when COVID 19 has dominated our lives, and we know we are not out of the woods yet, both Councillor Hastings and I have been clear that community safety has been our paramount concern. To meet the high standards expected for such an event many aspects of the proposal need to be completed.
“These have been outlined to the organisers and the timeframes involved mean requirements cannot be met by October this year.”
Councillor Hastings who has been working with Councillor Stewart on community engagement said:
“It is clear there has been a lack of consultation so far by the organisers and there must be enough time for a full and comprehensive consultation with the community when the event does finally come forward for consideration. The pandemic has also prevented a local survey taking place and for these reasons I cannot support the event going ahead this year.”
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The organisers have been consulted on the position and have received a number of concerns raised by residents in emails sent to the Council Leader and Councillor Hastings. Council officers are also briefing residents on the current position and the future requirements should a formal proposal for such an event be made to the Council.
Councillor Stewart concluded by adding:
“ I know there are many on the Island who have expressed their support for an event of this nature but equally there are residents who have significant concerns and these should all be considered and addressed if and when a formal proposal with the necessary endorsement of the ACU and SAG is received by the council.
“Meanwhile I thank the organisers for their pragmatic approach and their appreciation of community concerns which I am sure they will address in due course.”
This could be the right decision, but it also shows, that just two “elected” persons are able to decide what is best for the other 100k + people living here.
To quote Cllr Stewart ““In a year when COVID 19 has dominated our lives, and we know we are not out of the woods yet, both Councillor Hastings and I have been clear that community safety has been our paramount concern.”
Then cancel the Festival if you are that concerned…..
It is illogical that the Festival has not been cancelled , or indeed been forced to cancel. This is surely the biggest covid risk for the Isle of Wight due to the huge numbers involved and the confined nature of the event.
A recipe for disaster.
The need for the promoters to make profit should not be a factor.
The safety of residents and festival goers alike should be the only consideration
I hope logic prevails , and soon.
As usuall the negative misery minority get their way. What a surprise .
I wasn’t aware IW residents had been balloted on this, social media is not remotely reliable,,,, just loud ….. so how do you know that it’s a minority
With constant roadworks covering our island, most likely Madge from Benidorm will win.
Boooooo!
It’ll never happen, too many NIMBYs
It will go the same way the World Motorcross Championships and Wight Air went. Ruined by red tape.
I really hope we don’t lose these amazing opportunities here on the island.
“but equally there are residents who have significant concerns “… You mean you don’t want to upset the Tory voters. Sad day for the Island’s economy.
Councillor Stewart starts in the article ““In a year when COVID 19 has dominated our lives, and we know we are not out of the woods yet, both Councillor Hastings and I have been clear that community safety has been our paramount concern”……………………………………… okay – does that also apply to the Isle of Wight Festival that is expecting 50,000 people this year?
Oh “Head in sand Stewart” is pandering to “Seldom Seen Seeley” who lives in Brighstone and is aligning himself to The Masons out that way!!!!!!! Let’s not forget “The Island is still open to careful tourists”! A week later tier 4 but just long enough for the shop owning Councillor’s to rake in every last penny from tourists…. Election in May Dave
. “so long you won’t be missed”
This would be so good for island revenue, pity you’ve got incompetent fools blocking the way, brown envelope not thick enough Mr Stewart ???
Will also mean bad news for the Classic Car Extravaganza in September ?
I thought that after the m/c races there was the yacht racing what next a “CASINO” it all depends on what sort of IOW you want, i want a IOW that is the best place in the country to live a happy and peaceful life and i just wonder if that includes the for above
‘… significant concerns…’ He won’t outright say that most people don’t want it, will he. Also notice it is described as an event. That, by definition, is something that has happened, or will happen because it always has… I think our roads and peace have had a stay of execution for this year only. Too much twaddle and to many friends’ gifts to stop it next year.
So you’ve spoken to everyone then? How do you know ‘most do not want it’??? Jugging by the comments ‘most’ see this as a new possible revenue stream for an island that depends on holiday seasons for it’s income. The Isle of Wight is a holiday destination and these events are needed to generate foot fall. If you don’t like it move. You may not need the money but a lot of businesses rebuilding from covid do!
Result!@@@ best decision in light of the lurgy pandemic
Yes the rich get there own way .one day the young and the people who have lived here all there life
Might get a say
Don’t fart someone will moan ban a rangerovers
Spends all the councils money on projects that help his mates and refuses to support projects that will bring much needed publicity and revenue to the island. This bloke IS the cause of a lot of the problems on the island.