Cycling is a healthy sport, that's the image. But what is the environmental impact of The Tour Of Britain? The question is urgent because the Tour will finish at Beast Banks, Kendal, in September 2019. A finish witnessed by 10,000 spectators in 2016 at this same location. A splendid sporting event but with such numbers involved robust procedures should be in place , before permissions are given, to minimize the environmental impact. So what was the problem in 2016?
Yards from the finish, stretching out along residential Brigsteer Road was a fleet of support vehicles. During the 2 hours and 30 minutes I observed they were all running generators/ idling and the air was thick with fumes. You could see and taste air pollution. I asked someone with one of the team vehicles why this was happening. For showers and washing machines, Meanwhile, young mothers with toddlers in push chairs were forced to walk through a pall of fumes. The heath hazards of idling are well known. And its contribution to Climate Change.
So, let's welcome the Tour in September 2019. Prior to that, the South Lakeland District Council needs to amend its permissions to ensure that the Tour of Britain is an exemplary 'green' event.'
no idling
no harmful generators
no single-use plastic
On 25 July 2019, with highest recorded temperatures in the UK I'm mindful of the Climate Emergency. So is Kendal Town Council Environment and Highway Committee who have formed a sub-committee to address the issue of Climate Change. ' Not just talk, talk' urged a young woman at the Climate Emergency meeting at Kendal Town Hall on 9 th July where i raised the issue of the environmental impact of major tourist events. Specifically, the Tour of Britain because i was there, I witnessed what happened.
So--- I have raised the issue with the new committee and the Liberal Democrats. I have contacted the Green Party and await a response. I have emailed the Tour of Britain, set out the problem and await a response. They have time to address it and avoid a repeat of what happened in 2016.
I'm aware this is an inconvenient truth for the Tour of Britain to contemplate. And for towns eager to welcome tourism. But a Climate Emergency demands a better response than talk, talk. It demands that such issues are addressed, now.
Tour of Britain Stage 4 Gateshead to Kendal 10th September 2019
See the Tour of Britain's guidelines on sustainability here
https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/race/sustainability/
1 August 2019 Good News Team vehicles will not park on Brigsteer Road, but in a less residential ` location. And I'm assured they will continue to work to ensure the Tour reduces its impact on the environment.
So, let's welcome the Tour in September 2019. Prior to that, the South Lakeland District Council needs to amend its permissions to ensure that the Tour of Britain is an exemplary 'green' event.'
no idling
no harmful generators
no single-use plastic
On 25 July 2019, with highest recorded temperatures in the UK I'm mindful of the Climate Emergency. So is Kendal Town Council Environment and Highway Committee who have formed a sub-committee to address the issue of Climate Change. ' Not just talk, talk' urged a young woman at the Climate Emergency meeting at Kendal Town Hall on 9 th July where i raised the issue of the environmental impact of major tourist events. Specifically, the Tour of Britain because i was there, I witnessed what happened.
So--- I have raised the issue with the new committee and the Liberal Democrats. I have contacted the Green Party and await a response. I have emailed the Tour of Britain, set out the problem and await a response. They have time to address it and avoid a repeat of what happened in 2016.
I'm aware this is an inconvenient truth for the Tour of Britain to contemplate. And for towns eager to welcome tourism. But a Climate Emergency demands a better response than talk, talk. It demands that such issues are addressed, now.
Tour of Britain Stage 4 Gateshead to Kendal 10th September 2019
See the Tour of Britain's guidelines on sustainability here
https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/race/sustainability/
1 August 2019 Good News Team vehicles will not park on Brigsteer Road, but in a less residential ` location. And I'm assured they will continue to work to ensure the Tour reduces its impact on the environment.
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