THE organisers of a triathlon have dropped plans to close roads for the cycling section of the race following complaints.
Vachery Triathlon race organiser Brave Events has revealed it has altered 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 the new plans would leave "only a handful of narrow country lanes with managed access for safety reasons" and insisted revised arrangements would allow residents and businesses to come and go safely during the race.
Local pub and restaurant owners confronted race director Mark Davis at a stormy public meeting on April 11, claiming the closures would cost them thousands in lost takings.
On Tuesday, a statement from Mr Davis 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."
As a result of the change, entry fees for the event, which also includes lake swimming on the Vachery Estate, will be reduced and all registered entrants receive a partial refund.
For more information, visit www.vacherytriathlon.co.uk
