THE Vachery Triathlon has dropped controversial plans to close roads for the cycling section of the race following complaints from residents.
Race organiser Brave Events has revealed it has altered its plans for an eight-hour road closure in Ockley, Forest Green and Abinger Common on July 21 in response to feedback from an "ongoing consultation with local communities".
The company said its new plans would leave "only a handful of narrow country lanes with managed access for safety reasons" and insisted the revised arrangements would allow residents and businesses to come and go safely during the race.
Pub and restaurant owners in the affected area confronted race director Mark Davis at a stormy public meeting on April 11, claiming the closures would prevent customers reaching their premises, costing them thousands of pounds in takings.
Last week, the Advertiser reported that Brave Events had moved the route away from Ockley in response to the complaints.
On Tuesday, a new statement from Mr Davis said the company "cared about what local people think" and had listened to their concerns.
He said: "We know that public support for this event is far more valuable and vital to us than the support we receive from the authorities, so the decision to change our plans was an easy one.
"Moving forward we recognise the need to work with local people to ensure there is something in it for them.
"With their support this race has the potential to become a reliable ongoing source of funding for local community projects as well as providing significant economic and health benefits to the area.
"We plan to establish a local race committee as soon as possible and we would like to hear from anyone who would like be involved in the development of this great event."
As a result of the change away from closed roads, Brave Events announced it had reduced competitors' entry fees for the multi-sport event which also includes lake swimming on the Vachery Estate at Cranleigh.
All registered entrants will receive a partial refund.
For more information, visit www.vacherytriathlon.co.uk
