Closed Roads Now Possible
Following a consultation, the
Welsh Government has now published a statutory instrument facilitating
closed-road motor sport in Wales. As in England, it names the MSA as the
authorising bodies for closed-road motor sport events.
The development introduces new
laws facilitating closed-road events that came into force on 2nd
February following a long campaign by the MSA and
the motor sport community and mirrors legislation that commenced in
England on 10 April 2017. The new law will allow local
authorities to suspend the Road Traffic Act for authorised motor sport events,
without requiring individual Acts of Parliament.
Rob Jones, MSA Chief Executive is
quoted as saying: “It’s no understatement to say that this development will
literally change the landscape of Welsh motor sport, providing opportunities to
take the sport to new areas of the country on closed public roads. Wales is
already recognised globally for its motor sport heritage and this development
will add significantly to the country’s pre-eminence in the sport.”
However, we are unlikely to see
a full blown Rally on closed public roads in Wales in the immediate future. Any
event of this nature will take time to plan, is going to attract very high
costs, required huge manpower and will need good inter-club co-operation.
