This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28261960
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Motor races could be held on public roads says Cameron | Motor races could be held on public roads says Cameron |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government is to change the law to give local authorities the power to stage motor races on public roads. | The government is to change the law to give local authorities the power to stage motor races on public roads. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement on a visit to a new Williams F1 team engineering centre. | Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement on a visit to a new Williams F1 team engineering centre. |
| The government has conducted a consultation on the issue. | The government has conducted a consultation on the issue. |
| It is currently a criminal offence to promote or take part in a race or trial of speed between motor vehicles on a highway or, in Scotland, on a public road. | It is currently a criminal offence to promote or take part in a race or trial of speed between motor vehicles on a highway or, in Scotland, on a public road. |
| The proposal is to give local authorities the powers to suspend speed limits and some traffic regulations, in certain conditions. | The proposal is to give local authorities the powers to suspend speed limits and some traffic regulations, in certain conditions. |
| Speaking at the Williams facility in Oxfordshire, Mr Cameron said the move would be "great" for motorsport and would mean "more races, more events and more money coming into our country". | Speaking at the Williams facility in Oxfordshire, Mr Cameron said the move would be "great" for motorsport and would mean "more races, more events and more money coming into our country". |
| Tour inspiration | Tour inspiration |
| The success of last week's Grand Depart of the Tour de France showed the public's appetite for road races of both the two-wheel and four-wheel variety, he suggested. | The success of last week's Grand Depart of the Tour de France showed the public's appetite for road races of both the two-wheel and four-wheel variety, he suggested. |
| It is thought that the change could result in as many as 20 races every year on public roads. | It is thought that the change could result in as many as 20 races every year on public roads. |
| Analysis | |
| By Andrew Benson, chief F1 writer, BBC Sport | |
| This decision is not about a potential London Grand Prix, it is about making it easier to hold small-scale local events such as hillclimbs and rallies on closed roads. | |
| It does remove one potential obstacle to a Formula 1 street race in London, but many more remain. | |
| Speculation about such an event continues to rumble on, but F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone looked into it carefully several years ago. | |
| The conclusion was that logistically and, especially, financially it was a non-starter. Nothing has obviously changed on that front. | |
| Mayor of London Boris Johnson, a keen cyclist, said he strongly backed the idea. | Mayor of London Boris Johnson, a keen cyclist, said he strongly backed the idea. |
| "He is always interested in projects that attract jobs and bring growth," a spokesman said. | "He is always interested in projects that attract jobs and bring growth," a spokesman said. |
| "He is positive that London would do a spectacular job of hosting an F1 Grand Prix. But it is impossible to say what the impact might be without detailed planning and research and the question of air quality and noise impact would have to be looked at very carefully." | "He is positive that London would do a spectacular job of hosting an F1 Grand Prix. But it is impossible to say what the impact might be without detailed planning and research and the question of air quality and noise impact would have to be looked at very carefully." |
| The prime minister's spokesman said the change would feature in the deregulation bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament. | The prime minister's spokesman said the change would feature in the deregulation bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament. |
| Races or trials of speed on public roads can be permitted by Parliament through the Private Bill procedure for specific events. But that takes 18 months and needs approval of both Houses of Parliament. | Races or trials of speed on public roads can be permitted by Parliament through the Private Bill procedure for specific events. But that takes 18 months and needs approval of both Houses of Parliament. |
| It is not clear whether Friday's announcement will apply to just England or the whole of the UK. | It is not clear whether Friday's announcement will apply to just England or the whole of the UK. |