The British government has approved the primary legislation that will make it easier for closed-road motorsport to take place in England, Wales and Scotland.
While a final piece of legislation is required before it is put into effect, it is a huge step forward in the MSA/ACU bid to increase the number of events that take place on public roads in Britain.
The Deregulation Bill, in which the framework for running closed-road motorsport features, achieved the Royal Assent on Thursday 26th March.
However, the secondary legislation required is expected to have to wait until after the General Election in May.
The ACU have been campaigning with the MSA for some time now to achieve change which will enable the Road Traffic Act to be suspended or amended without an Act of Parliament.
ACU Chairman Brian Higgins commented, “I know a lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes from both the MSA and the ACU in order to achieve where we are at this stage. This is great news for motorcycle sport and will widen opportunities for our Organising Clubs and at the same time provide an economic benefit to any local area that might wish to host motorcycle events given the additional footfall motorsport events will bring”.
The revisions to the Road Traffic Act of 1988 will outline the following procedure when applying to promote a motorsport event on a public highway:
- A person who wishes to promote a race or trial of speed between motor vehicles on a highway in England and Wales may apply for a permit to a motor sport governing body authorised by regulations made by the appropriate national authority to issue permits in respect of a race or trial of speed of that kind. (in the case of motorsport events being held on closed public roads, the only two Organisations able to issue permits will be the MSA and the ACU).
- The MSA/ACU must consult the highway, local and police authorities. If the event will take place in Greater London, it must consult the Greater London Authority. It must also consult each person who has given written notice within the previous 12 months that they wish to be consulted, and any other persons or bodies the MSA/ACU deems relevant.
- The MSA/ACU must be satisfied that the promoter will take care of the organisational and financial requirements of the event, including safety procedures and insurance.
- A permit must outline the route, drivers, vehicles and insurance.
- Once granted a permit, the applicant must approach the relevant highway authority, no less than six months before the planned event, supplying information on the traffic requirements, a risk assessment and appropriate fees.
- The highway authority will then assess the impact on the local community and benefits the event could bring, and approve the order if it believes the event is commercially viable and has taken the community's views into account.