Agenda item

To consider a report on the progress of preparations for the Tour de France 2014, with particular reference to the opportunities for Leeds residents to enjoy the event, and the legacy proposals.

Members considered a report on engaging local people in the Tour de France. In introducing the report, a short DVD was shown.

In attendance to address the Board and answer Members’ queries were:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Member for Leisure and Skills

-  Councillor Roger Harington, Cycling Champion

-  Cluny Macpherson, Chief Officer (Culture and Sport)

-  Peter Smith, Tour de France Team

-  Ed Mylan, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy

-  Mark Allman, Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles

-  Andrew Hall, Acting Head of Transport Policy

-  Dinah Clark, Policy and Performance Manager

-  Nicola Lockwood, Tour de France Team

Members were provided with an update on the preparations and planning for the Grand Depart in July 2014, but they were also asked to put forward their own ideas for ways in which to make the event as widely accessible as possible.

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·  The logistics operation that was underway for the event itself

·  Plans to keep the rest of the city functioning during the event

·  The importance of good, early communication, particularly around any restrictions on traffic movement

·  Making local people aware of the scale of the event and how many spectators there are likely to be trying to view the event

·  The opportunity to promote the city

·  Plans for a number of spectator hubs along the route

·  The cultural festival and the availability of grants

·  The Travel Plan for the event

·  Public transport access from the airport

·  Park and Ride provision

·  Regional coordination between highways authorities to prepare the route

·  Encouraging people to avoid planning big events for the same weekend

·  Coordination with Harewood House

·  Safe cycle access to the event

·  The cycling legacy

The following ideas were also put forward for further consideration:

·  The possibility of having hub areas away from the route where people could watch the event on big screens and take part in local celebration events

·  Providing low-cost accommodation for travelling spectators in tented areas, with dedicated transport to and from the event

·  Young people cycling the route or creating local routes through other parts of Leeds during the build-up

·  Having an event during the build-up like the Olympic torch relay

·  Getting cycling clubs and famous cyclists into schools

·  Taking the DVD to all Area Committees to encourage them to think about the opportunities in their area and to consider contributing funding for local activities connected with the main event

·  Approaching local landowners to negotiate additional park and ride provision and encourage public transport access to the city for the event

·  Providing advice on safe cycling and good routes, including roadshows and website presence

·  Developing schemes where volunteers restore unwanted bikes and pass them on for free, based on the example at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm

RESOLVED – That the ideas put forward be noted and that a further report on the preparations for the event be brought to the Board in spring 2014.

(Councillor J McKenna left the meeting at 11.10 and Councillor M Ingham left at 11.20 during the discussion of this item.)