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Hopes leap for London Grand Prix: Cameron aims to open British roads to motor races Hopes leap for London Grand Prix: Cameron aims to open British roads to motor races
(about 1 hour later)
Formula One cars could soon be speeding through the streets of London after David Cameron announced moves to allow motor races on public roads. Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button could soon be thrilling the crowds as they race around Parliament Square and accelerate up the Mall.
Bernie Ecclestone has pressed for a Monaco-style Grand Prix to be staged in the capital. The Formula One supremo has argued it would raise more than £100m in ticket sales and endorsements and provide a huge boost to tourism. The major obstacle to London – or any other British city – staging its own Monaco-style Grand Prix is to be swept away by the Government.
Legislation will be introduced in the autumn to give local authorities across Britain the power to host motor races. It is due to become law by March, potentially paving the way to the first races next summer. Councils will shortly get the power to turn public roads into temporary race tracks with speed limits and laws on dangerous driving suspended.
The Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has pressed for the staging of a London Grand Prix, arguing it would raise at least £100 million in ticket sales and products endorsements.
Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, has already signalled his support for staging a Grand Prix in the heart of the capital.
Today's announcement, which covers England, Scotland and Wales, also clears the way to smaller-scale motor rallies, speed trials and hill climbs. Motor sports chiefs say there is enough demand to hold around 20 races a year on British roads.
David Cameron announced the move as he opened an £8 million engineering facility at Oxfordshire headquarters of the Williams F1 team.
Legislation will be introduced in the autumn to give local authorities the power to host motor races subject to consultation with residents.
It is due to become law by March, potentially paving the way to the first races next summer.
Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari drives during qualifying ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix The move follows the success of the three stages of the Tour de France held in Britain, which were watched by some 3.5 million spectators last week and are estimated to have boosted the economy by more than £100 million.
Mr Cameron said: “We think this will be of really useful to British motor sport - more races, more events, more money coming into the country and more success for this extraordinary industry.”Mr Cameron said: “We think this will be of really useful to British motor sport - more races, more events, more money coming into the country and more success for this extraordinary industry.”
At the moment a special Act of Parliament is required to allow a motor race on public roads, as happened when the Birmingham Superprix Formula 3000 races took place between 1986 and 1990. Councils can already close roads for cycling and running events. But at the moment they require a special Act of Parliament to allow a motor race on public streets, a process that can take 18 months.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ve seen in recent years a great number of successful sporting events in the UK of various sizes. This happened when the Birmingham Superprix Formula 3000 races took place between 1986 and 1990.
“Alongside that, this country has a long tradition of engineering experience, particularly in motor sport.” A spokeswoman for Mr Johnson said he thought Formula One is “a fantastic event that any city would feel privileged to host - he is always interested in projects that attract jobs and bring growth”.
A spokeswoman for Mr Johnson said: "The Mayor is already backing the FIA Formula E championship race in Battersea Park next year and thinks Formula 1 itself is a fantastic event that any city would feel privileged to host - he is always interested in projects that attract jobs and bring growth. She 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."
Hosting the first three stages of the Tour de France this month is estimated to have boosted the UK economy by more than £100 million.
Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari drives during qualifying ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix Experts believe today's shake-up could lead to an extra 20 motor sports events on British roads per year, generating some £40 million over five years for local communities.
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Motor sport has a huge following in the UK. These changes will provide more opportunities for fans to enjoy the sport locally and give a financial boost to local economies through the added benefits of tourism, shopping and spending."
The current Private Bill process to authorise a road race can take up to 18 months, and requires the approval of both Houses of Parliament.
Edmund King, AA president, said: "We welcome this move. On road regulated motor sport can boost the economy through tourism. The UK is global leader in motor sport technology and this will help show that technology in practice.
"UK citizens have shown in the London Olympics and Tour de France that they can adapt to road closures and well planned restrictions and will come and support in their numbers."