Birmingham Formula E street race plans 'premature' claims city council leader
Andy Street may have raced ahead of himself by suggesting the imminent return of motor racing to the roads of the West Midlands, a council leader has claimed.
The region's Tory Mayor said last week he was in 'advanced talks' with bosses over staging a 2019 leg of the all-electric Formula E series in Birmingham – the first time cars would race around the city since the 1990 Superprix.
But Birmingham City Council's Labour leader Ian Ward said the authority had been left in the dark over the plans.
"I don't know what Andy has been doing but there have been no discussions between the organisers of Formula E and Birmingham City Council," he said.
"We don't know what the full costs of staging this event would be.
"We don't even know if the route – which is the roads that would be used that were prescribed by an act of Parliament – would be fit for purpose.
"Most importantly of all, of course, there has been no full consultation with the people of Birmingham.
"We need to know what they think about this idea before we go making announcements that things will be happening in 12 months time."
He added that he had been 'taken aback' by the Mayor's 'premature' announcement.
"It would appear that Andy has gone ahead and concluded some negotiations without going down the proper route," he said.
"It is very important that things are done properly. I'm a great believer in bringing major events to the city.
"I've been involved in bringing many sporting events, not least the Commonwealth Games to Birmingham, so I get the benefit of them."
Mr Ward denied his intervention on the issue was grounded in political differences with the Mayor.
"This is absolutely not a political row," he said. "I'm all fort working very closely with the West Midlands Mayor, but let's do it in the right way."
Mr Street is due to meet with council bosses on Friday to discuss the race.
