Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has not welcomed today’s announcement of a major motorcycle race coming to the Isle of Wight in October 2021, raising concerns about noise, speed and whether cyclists and horse riders have been consulted.
As reported by Island Echo earlier this morning, Diamond Races Isle of Wight will bring professional road racing to our shores for the very first time. A best-in-the-business team are behind the race meeting, which will see top riders compete in a time trial format around a 12.4-mile, closed-road course.
News of the brand new festival has been warmly welcomed by Islanders today and the Isle of Wight Council have thrown their support around the major event. However, Mr Seely has not been so positive and has raised numerous concerns about the staging of the Diamond Races.
Bob – who lives close by to the course – has said in a statement:
“Before I reach a view on this, I want to see more engagement with local residents and I would like to hear from parish councils, Isle of Wight Councillors and Islanders. Press releases do not amount to community engagement.
“I am aware a lot of preparatory work has gone into this and I am grateful for the interests of the organisers.
“Have cyclists been consulted? Have horse owners and riders? What is the opinion of the parish councils that may be affected? What is the opinion of island residents?
Article continues below this advertisement “We accept some occasional disruption to life brought by big, one-off events, but we need to make sure that the benefits outweigh the costs. One-off events are good for bringing in visitors, but what we need are long-term gains for the Island.
“We have significant noise and speed issues on the Military Road as it is, which affects the lives of residents along and near it and damages businesses. There are also noise and speed issues on roads elsewhere on the Island.
“Unless long-term funding for noise and speed measures are included on at least the Military Road section, I fear this race may turn the route into a race track all year round. I want to know what the organisers and the Council will do to address this. I want more than vague assurances.
“I will also want more details on how this race will help improve road safety on the Island and how the race organisers, council and police will deal with or reach out to problem drivers.
“I want more information on how this race will impact on cycling, not just over one weekend but in the build-up too. The Military Road is popular cycle route and encouraging cycling is important both for Islanders but also for visitors.”
No l bet he doesn’t, if there’s nothing in it for him.
If he changes his tune we’ll know why.
Mr Whittle will be there cashing in on such somehow I expect.
More on his brother ferry company shares FOR BOTH WIGHTLINK AND REDFUNNELL ,he has already. For once in your political life as an MP for isle of wight. See the massive investment and tourism and Hotels, Campsites and local Business need this for now and the future of this fantastic island . before it ends up for the rich old people to just have quiet life for just them. Look at it as a vital life line for all us locals young and old. See it as it is, for CYCLING the year after as well ,help us all!!!!
Regards
karl stay sothcott
Go away Bob, you’re just another soundbite.
fantastic news we need something like this to bring in money to the island about time we had some road racing on the island just like the i o m for those of use who cannot go to the i o m
The race organisers will insist that the surface of the racing course are to a high standard. This will mean that scarce road repair money will not be spent where it is actually needed.
Island roads won’t be doing that one then. High standards haha
Looks like the keyboards are already in motion in West eight , I think the course should have been longer say to broook ,hulverstone and that way, far more testin of rider ,just my opinion
It will only see the rider tested once they literally hit the road. I think the road surface might win.
Strange, as a motorist and keen walker I don’t recall being consulted about the dangerous open road cycle events that half a sausage is so keen to promote….
Oh looks like a nobody piped up to give his two cents.. of course he wouldn’t like something like this to come to the island I mean he couldn’t follow simple yet the most idiotic rules his party set for the country.. literally do one you spineless fool.
Well for once, I 100% agree with Bob, once you take into account there will be no access to peoples properties during this idiotic event, and the knock on effect of motorcyclists taking it as a given that the Military Road is now a racetrack, even more so than they do now. Good on you Bob, this time.
The roads will be closed and if a cyclist or horse riders gets on the closed circuit that’s their fault!
Maybe this mp should start the races and see the pounds pour into the island! It’s going to be millions!
Yeh, right – “millions”(?) just like we are told about the Island “Pop Festivals”.
I think millions might be a tad exaggerated! As long as it goes well over and above the cost to stage it and doesn’t encourage people to continue racing once the event is over it’ll be great. It’s only a few days after all.
And most of those “millions” will go straight back to the promoters, the ferry companies, and the food suppliers, almost all on the mainland!
Some people are so stupid, being taken in by these money-grabbers and petrol-heads.
Bob you are a big disappoint to the Iow , you should welcome this with open arms !!! Can I have yr job !!!!!
If everyone don’t like this they can stay away simple
What an idiot, you don’t have a clue bob. It will be better for the IOW, than a boring art gallery! The roads are closed for the races, so there will not be any cyclists or horse riders on it. Go back to poking your nose in to foreign affairs!
I have read this article and the Echo headline totally mis-represents Bob Seely’s statement. He merely says that there are impacts on others not involved in this planned event , which need investigating – a very sensible response.
I am not at all anti such motorsport events, but it is easy to get carried away in the hype and euphoria of the moment.
Personally I was very concerned to see that a huge number of cat’s eyes are to be removed from the route, I trust these will be replaced at the organisers expense, it is not rocket science to understand that they are very important to road safety at night.
Bob’s point about the risk of it encouraging the use of the Military Road to be used as a race-track after the event is very valid. Speed cameras and ANPR cameras should be installed anyway, maybe the organisers would fund this as a goodwill gesture?. It is already a very dangerous road which has had several deaths from road accidents in the past.
I am in favour of such events if consideration is given to the impact on the Island residents and other visitors.
Economy wise is hard to estimate if there will be a net gain for the island . Like the festival I assume that the majority of the catering and retail stalls will be operated by non Island companies, and the profits will not benefit the Isle of Wight.
In conclusion we need to take a balanced and level-headed look at this proposal. There will be views on both sides, and the Council need to listen to all viewpoints.
Could have been more upbeat about it though presenting a more positive view. Just saying.
Ever been to the Isle of man races, NO, then don’t comment, It is very well organized, and makes the I.o.M a lot of money, in the weeks this event is on, the isle of man makes more money then the I.o.W does in a year.
P.S. I think anyone that was not born on the Isle of wight should not have a say in what what goes on, on the I.o.W. The I.o.W is becoming a retirement home for the mainland UK, it has to stop.
I agree about the comparison with the ISLE OF MAN but the second comment in your post in the PS is absolutely ridiculous.
The IOW is a county, same as any other and people who happen to have been born here have no right to stop others having a say. This is the type of statement that leads to derogatory comments about “IOW mentality”.
My daughter is 32 and born here. Should she have more say then her friend of the same age who moved here aged 20? Of course not.
Quite right! “Windrush” springs to mind! 😉
If those not born here were black, all these people moaning would be identified as racists. Just because the “mainlanders” are not necessarily of one particular race, it’s still a narrow-minded attitude that should not be tolerated.
Not that the “mainlanders” bring any income on to the Island” 😉
Perhaps the “say” that people get should be in proportion the amount they spend on the Island, if that’s the concern?
Agreed. Born & bred I am, I welcome this event, sick to death of people moving here, retiring here then dictating to us Islanders what we can & cannot have! It’s one day for christ sake.
Offer Seldom Seen Seely half a sausage and Bob’s Your Uncle – he just loves to rubbish anything he os not linked to or involved with. Not sure our self-serving Tory actually really lives on the island anyway! He appears to have only scant knowledge of what is the truth and what is not if his past actions are anything to go by.
I dont see a problem
Bob the knob should read the article the roads will be closed so there should be no cyclists or horse riders.
Wish he would jump on me wagon about ferry cost as he had this..years we all have said that the greed ferry companies have held the islanders hostage to uprise in ferry cost and don’t here a thing about him helping there but the small mention of bike race near he’s home and he’s str8 in there..shows where he’s priorities are…
Well can’t horse riders and cyclists plan something else for a couple days it won’t harm them …. the island needs some thing like this so stop being an oap
Comments so far have seemed to have missed the fact that the article states that Sausage Boy ‘lives nearby’. Seems a case of “not in my backyard!” The Isle of Man TT seems to run just fine every year. I’d rather have motorcycles than ruddy cyclists & horses holding up the traffic! At least motorcyclists pay tax & insurance! A very good idea to bring a bit of motorsport to the Island. Not much of a fan of motorcycling myself but would certainly pop along to watch & offer some support. Good luck – hope the event goes well…
It wasn’t put forward by Boris so Bob cant automatically agree with it!
As for this proposed event encouraging,more racers on the military road my question to Bob Seely is where the hell have you been for the last 30+ yrs. seeing as you live close to the circuit. For years Sunday mornings became a meet up for bikers to race up and down . Blimey if you remember good old Gurdy he used to show up (not in police gear))What about the proposed 2022 cycling circuit in Ryde no! As it’s nowhere near him. What about the scooterists every year? What about the Festival at Newport. Yes for a few days there is a bit of disruption but people in their thousands enjoy themselves- good on them . Brings money to businesses. Do what you best Bob – nothing. I’ve got a mate that lives on the Isle of Man and he agrees that there is a bit of disruption but is well worth it.
Tell you what, how about the horse riders and cyclists give some consideration to other road users?
horse riders frequently complain about ‘slippery’ road surfaces, all edging that Island Roads have used the “wrong” tarmac, but I have yet to see ANY horse riders out on the road with road overshoes on their animals!
Might that not be a major contributing factor to your horse slipping?
As for cyclists, when was the last time a group of Lycra clad ‘enthusiasts’ gave ANY consideration to the traffic they hold up when riding en-Massue?
come-on, it’s just for a couple of days, and the Island will benefit!
Nick, there seems to be a lot of vitriol in your reply towards horses and cyclists, they’re not the ones showing any reluctance to let this happen, Bob Seely is, vent your anger at him, if your prejudices will let you.
“cyclists and horse riders have been consulted”
To Bob, they will not be on the road at the same time!
He can’t really welcome it can he? To be able to do that you would have to live here…
Alfred
You’ve done a lot of good work for the IOW Bob, don’t cock it up by messing this one up. The island could prosper with events like this.
Well the Funeral Directors will
This event would almost certainly attract tv coverage, our island has another opportunity to get mega advertising ( we missed out on the motor cross at Arreton some years back due to a local resident complaint if I remember correctly) and to be staged ‘out of season’ I’m sure the accommodation providers would welcome the additional revenue. As too the arteries (Ferry companies will rub their hands and alone make millions). With or without this event there will always be those mindless individuals who believe it’s their god given right to blast along the military road, and many others, they won’t need encouraging.
This mans opinions have no value anymore to me. Even less so since he to his contempt for all but him self when breaking lock down rules. I believe there should be consultation with all but this has been outlined in the event planning. I live in Brighstone and can tell you that the military rd has been a race track for cars and bikes for years. If the Tory’s hadn’t of decimated the police over the last ten years then they might have a camera on there every so often
Don’t be a bum hole bob
We are so unfortunate to have another such crap MP I mean something is going to put the island on the map and bring revenue and he doesn’t want it! I’m surprised at that from the point of view that the ferry companies will do well out of it and seeing as he has close connections to the ferry companies you’d think he would be pleased! I am pleased to see the leader of the council speak in favour of this exciting event!
Earn your money Bob object to the event.
Can we assume that Bob will be objecting to the roads being closed for the tour of england then???
This will bring a younger clientele to the island who will spend money. It’s only for a short time too.
Anyway Bob, it’s not up to you to sanction it so just stay away instead of coming to your holiday home.
Races will be organised correctly and no one else cyclists or cars lorries or vans will be on the roads: we need something like this on this island should’ve been done years ago.
He did go blind when his balls dropped
Mr Seeley is absolutely right. WE have enough problems with motor cyclists using the Military Road and even Whitwell Road as a race track. This event will only bring noise and obstruction, and will encourage copy-cat action throughout the year. The IOW Council has made no effort to consult Islanders and clearly has been bought lock, stock, and barrel by the organisers.
Who has problems with motorbikes on the Military road? If you didn’t want people driving past you, don’t buy a house on a national speed limit long road? It’s like complaining about low flying aircraft and buying a house under Heathrow flight path, or complaining about seagull noise and living in a coastal town. Get better windows and lighten up.
I know you won’t print this but what a knob
Bob Seely. Seemingly bright from afar, but actually terribly, terribly, dim up close.
Hey Bob, you don’t live here, so you don’t get a say.
All I will say is prick !!!
This is another great opportunity for the island …dont let it go like the world motocross gp went and that put the island on the world stage !!! .
In my opinion, Mr Silly has his priorities all wrong here. Rather than concern himself with consultation (which if i’m being cynical seems primarily because he lives ‘near the course’) he should view this as a great coup for the Island and look more into ensuring all public safety aspects are being covered before, during and after the event. For instance, making sure sufficient notice and guidance is provided to local residents in good time, ensuring adjusted road conditions are returned to support public day to day driving and putting sufficient policing in place post event to ensure bikers do not continue to treat the course as an excuse to speed around it, endangering other road users. These are the sort of things that should concern him.
As a Caulkhead and a motorcyclist I am delighted with this news. Overall the Island will benefit, and the future tourist trade will gain publicity. Why would we need to consult horse riders or cyclists baffles me.The assumptions that we will all be racing afterwards is ridiculous,
The suggestion isn’t that ALL will be racing the course after the event. It is a precaution. Once a new competitive course such as this gains public attention and notoriety naturally some members of the public will want to try it out for themselves, hopefully within normal speed limits but you will always get the odd over-speeding idiots. Think back to the recent police speed traps in the Blackgang area.
Don’t worry Bob. It’s a motorcycle race, horses and cyclists won’t be taking part.
BOB….. DOES ISLAND ROADS GIVE A SHIT FOR CYCLES OR HOUSES WHEN THEY SHUT A ROAD FOR WEEKS….
Writing as a very frequent cycling visitor from the mainland, I will probably come by cycle to see this fantastic spectacle. A lot of my cyclist pals are equally excited by this news. Can`t comment for equestrians though.
Sorry Bob your wrong on this one .this is great for the Island.and The roads will be closed. So no horses or cyclists will be in danger .
What about the motocross Club they want to stop along the military road which causes no inconvenience to anyone. This is a club for Island residents to be able to enjoy an off road sport in a safe and controlled environment. It’s not just for young residents it’s for people of all ages some that have grown up and lived on the island all their life. It is also affordable for most and with Opportunities for less privileged kids to come and enjoy.
Ask the true Islanders what they want!!
Thank you for mentioning us here!
It’s about time Bob got behind something that will be positive for the Island. Sailing no longer brings the income it used to. This would be a large winner for the Island, bringing a large amount of income and putting it on the world stage. It will be run a week after the World Superbikes race which means top world class riders will be there, bring huge amount of support. Bob says that he has concern for cyclists and horse riders? How do the Isle of Man and the various road race organisers do it. The roads are shut for a set time each day. There will be marshalls throughout the course to ensure the roads stay clear and clearance runs by the organisers before the actual racing. As for noise, they are racing bikes and the noise is amazing. So, come on Bob, get behind this and let’s see the island in a positive light. The Island would be heaving and our hotel/B&B/camping businesses will be stuffed full of people seeing the Island in a positive way.
Bob Seely I find is completely useless I voted for this guy as I thought he was good for the island but when I lost my job and I was having problems I rang him left a message on his answer machine sent emails no reply he’s not bothered with people on the island seems all he can be bothered about himself complete selfish person maybe he needs voting out . He’s not looking to improve the island just get his face stuck on the side of buses
We once had a world class moto-X venue, but that was howled down by the nimbys to be replaced by an eyesore that is about as green as an atomic bomb. This is temporary and nobody can say that the image of Ulster or the Isle of Man is harmed by their road races.
Seely dont care about islanders he lives on mainland…also his brother runs one of the ferry companies so we’ll never get a bridge or tunnel.just extortionate prices for all.he dont mind the inconvenience of festival too locals …just big wads of cash.joker he is
Horses and cyclists can do one for few days.so what.we have things stopped for noisy festival.wake up selfish seels this event will be fab.speeders exist b4 itll come.hey ho
If they can do it in the Isle of Man why not here in other words not on my doorstep bet he wouldn’t mind if it was other side of the Island should have it longer
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