Velo Birmingham carbon footprint must be huge
I see that Birmingham Council say that last year’s Velo Birmingham cycle ride was a huge success (re. Page 5, February 8th).
This is hardly surprising since Birmingham undoubtedly made a lot of money from the participants.
The countless businesses, residents and visitors to the Black Country, Staffordshire and Worcestershire who suffered financial loss or whose day was ruined by the associated road closures would undoubtedly disagree.
After last year’s event, I was told by Dudley Council that, before another Velo is approved, an impact assessment would be completed. I hope the results of this are duly noted.
In particular, its environmental impact would be interesting to see.
Apart from 15,000 cyclists travelling to and from Birmingham, a fleet of vehicles went out to deliver and collect the road-closure warning signs, then all the cones and barriers, followed by marshals driving out to enforce road closures on the day.
For an event claiming to support the green credentials of cycling, its carbon footprint must have been huge (and that is before you take into account the huge mileage that must have been covered by unfortunate people attempting to bypass the web of closed roads).
If Birmingham Council and the organisers wish to make Velo Birmingham a regular event, then let them keep it within Birmingham so that its disruption falls on Birmingham ratepayers and everyone else can get on with their lives without interference.
David Anscombe
Stourbridge
