Councillors have warned organisers of the Velothon Wales cycling race that next year’s event will have to include measures to avoid major disruptions or not be held in Monmouthshire.

Extensive closures shut off roads for most of the event last year, affecting businesses who claim to have lost thousands. Some residents said they were ‘prisoner in their own homes’.

Following complaints from constituents, town and county councillors have been working with Velothon organisers Run 4 Wales toward a solution which could minimise road closures for next year’s event.

Council proposals call for the roads to be opened following the amateur race finish, which councillors estimated would be around 11.30 am.

The professional race would then use rolling closures, where police and organisers close and re-open roads as the peloton travels.

This would close the ‘unacceptable’ gap between amateur and professional races in which the roads are closed off.

Councillor Bob Greenland, cabinet minister for innovation, enterprise and leisure, said the event organisers had made considerable concessions in talks which have been ongoing since July.

“Velothon Wales have made a few concessions on how next year’s event will be run”, said Councillor Greenland.

“They did agree at the meeting that there could be road closures between the amateur and professional race.

“We know from evidence of the Tour of Britain that this number of cyclists can be dealt with via rolling road closures.

“That means instead of the road remaining closed until the afternoon, the road could open after the amateurs have gone through. Then there’s a period of 20 mins which would allow the professional race to go through on a rolling-road closure basis

“That means prior to the cyclists coming through, police would close any side roads, which would then be kept closed by other cyclists and volunteers.

“Police will then go on ahead and close the roads as the race goes on, immediately once the race is through, the road is re-opened.

“I see no reason why that cannot be adopted in Monmouthshire. This i think would overcome the vast majority of complaints we’ve had from our residents about such long road closures.

“We have put that to the Velothon. Unfortunately they haven’t yet come through with a decision on that.

“We welcome the numbers come into the county. The heart of the Velothon is in those 15,000 amateur cyclists who are encouraged to come.

“We would not want to see that finish. But equally we recognise the disruption that occurs in the county.

“It’s up to the Velothon to make that happen,” said Councillor Greenland.

Organisers have also agreed to double the number of toilets available and introduce ‘Green Zones’ where cyclists can drop their rubbish, after some complaints regarding litter last time.

Peter Fox, leader of MCC, said, “This is absolutely the right way forward and I believe this is the stance we should take as elected representatives of all those people who have shared their concerns.

“We are not saying we don’t want the race here - we do. But we do want that rolling road closure for the professional race in the afternoon.”

Following complaints from business owners, and residents who say the event cause unacceptable disruptions, Councillor John Prosser, of Abergavenny said communication between the parties was paramount.

“This means we are actually listening to our constituents. I think its important to stress, however, that effective communication takes place before the event.

“If the roads aren’t going to be open again for a certain time, people need to know that in advance so they can make appropriate arrangements

“If we do have gaps where we can open the roads, we will need to communicate that with the public,” he said.

Velothon Wales said they were happy to work out an agreement which suited both themselves and MCC, adding that road closure concerns were being listened to and adjusted for.

Nigel Russell, the event’s director, said, “It was clear one of the biggest concerns the residents along the route raised was linked to the length of the road closures. This featured heavily in our feedback but also in the debrief with the councils.

“We worked closely with the five local authorities involved to try and develop an alternative that provides a safe environment for the participants as well as minimises the impact on the residents.

“We had proposed a change for the pro-race which would involve a rolling road closure, similar to arrangements seen for the Tour of Britain. This would allow the roads to reopen once the 15,000 amateurs have passed along the route.

“We were aware that the road closures were a contentious issue in Monmouthshire in particular and are aware of the nature of the support from Monmouthshire County Council.

“We are confident that it is both in line with the planning and the spirit and safety for the Velothon Wales in 2017.

“The launch will be later this month and we are confident this year’s event will develop on the success in 2016 with a greater emphasis on community involvement.

“This will allow the event to become established in the same way as other mass participation events have across Wales and the rest of the UK.”

It’s anticipated that Velothon Wales 2017 will be held on Sunday May 21.