The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships - Gran Fondo Road Race
Perth and Kinross Council · 6 March 2023
Back to Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee — 6 March 2023 and its agenda
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee 6 March 2023 THE 2023 UCI CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – GRAN FONDO ROAD RACE Report by Head of Environmental & Consumer Services (Report No 23/79) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval to Perth and Kinross Council hosting the Gran Fondo Road Race, on Friday 4 August 2023, as part of the UCI World Cycling Championships. The Finance and Resources Committee at its meeting of 30 November 2022 agreed the financial support to contribute to the hosting costs of the event. However, this committee is asked to approve the proposed route of the Gran Fondo Road Race. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: • agrees that Perth and Kinross host the Gran Fondo Road Race, as part of the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships; and • approves the proposed route of the Gran Fondo, which will take place in Perth and Kinross on 4 August 2023, as set out in Appendix A. • delegates authority to the Head of Environmental and Consumer Services, in consultation with the relevant ward members to agree any further changes to the proposed route as planning for the event develops, if approved. • notes that Finance and Resources Committee approved an allocation of £0.280m to support the event taking place. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background/Main Issues • Section 5: Expected Impacts and Benefits to Perth and Kinross • Section 6: Proposals • Section 7: Conclusion • Appendix 1 – Map of Proposed Route
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4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 4.1 In the first event of its kind, the world’s greatest riders will come together across Scotland in August 2023 to compete at the highest level. Scotland is the first country in the world to host such an event, showing Scotland to once again be a trailblazer on an international stage. This event is the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. 4.2 The event is the vision of UCI President, David Lappartient, with the aim being that this historic and innovative event will bring together 13 existing individual World Championship cycling disciplines for the first time ever to create the single biggest cycling event in history. It is testament to Scotland's credibility as a first-class destination, that the world governing body for cycling has entrusted it with such a prestigious event. 4.3 Underpinned by four key policy drivers - participation, transport, tourism and economy - the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is intended to be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland. The event partners are VisitScotland, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, UK Sport and British Cycling. 4.4 As such, the hosting of the Gran Fondo, as part of the Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland, supports delivery of strategic plans including the Corporate Plan (2022 – 27), the draft Sport/active leisure strategy, Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board Strategic Commissioning Plan 2020- 2025, the Council’s Mobility Strategy and Tactran’s Regional Transport Strategy 2023 – 2033. 4.5 Perth & Kinross Council was approached to host the Gran Fondo Road Race as part of the World Championships due to the stunning scenery, riding terrain and the availability of visitor facilities. This also reflects the Council’s reputation as a host area for large events such as the Ryder Cup, the Biggest Weekend and the Solheim Cup. Officers have been in discussion with the organisers about the level of support and the details around the event for some time, due to its scale and complexity. The 11-day Championship takes place from 3 -13 August 2023 at various locations across Scotland, with the Gran Fondo Road Race scheduled to take place on Friday 4 August 2023. 4.6 The Gran Fondo Road Race would commence from, and finish on, Tay Street, Perth. The route would be through Central and Highland Perthshire. This road race event would take place over a 160 km challenging course, with 11 age groups, 2,500 to 3,500 participants and 52 nations being represented. As well as the world championship event, a mass participation Sportive will be run alongside the Fondo Road Race World Championship to allow non-qualified cyclists to participate on the same route alongside the World Championship athletes. This allows the opportunity for local residents, community groups and cyclists to be directly involved in the event.
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4.7 A cycling expo event would also be delivered on the North Inch as a focus for participants and engagement with the wider community. While a fan zone strategy across the entire championships is being finalised, there is an ambition that the Expo would offer a significant spectator experience with interactive cycling activity from Scottish Cycling. This could also include a big screen showing other UCI events taking place across Scotland to create a festival feel and support the wider national policy objectives. 4.8 Whilst the event itself will generate significant economic impact and media attention in August, this is much more than a one-off event - the benefits are intended to be far reaching and long lasting. There is a Scottish Government ambition for the Championships to be a catalyst for significant change and progress in Scotland as regards cycling – continuing to transform the nation and make cycling part of the normal, everyday lives of everyone. This would include easing congestion on our roads to help the environment or simply making it easier for people to get around. The aim is that the bike should be seen as a leisure activity and a mode of transport; making it something that everyone can watch and enjoy but also participate in – whatever their age or motivation. 4.9 The UCI Championships will provide the vision of a future where cycling can provide solutions to issues such as congestion, pollution, health and fitness, and mobility whilst providing an opportunity to use the power of the bike to help meet our transport, health and environmental aims. 4.10 The Council would be expected to ensure that appropriate traffic management arrangements for the event were in place. This would involve officer time as well as consultation with the relevant organisers/Police Scotland and neighbouring local authorities. The provision of non-disruptive notices for works will be required with extensive co-ordination with all utility companies. With an event of this size, this would be a considerable undertaking, and whilst challenging to the existing team, this aspect will be delivered in partnership with the experienced event delivery partner Golazo. 4.11 The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships would deliver the following: Header Detail Championship delivery Delivery of a World Championship event as part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Coverage Delivery of broadcast production and media operations including local, national, and international distribution National policy Connection to, and co-ordination of, national strategic planning & associated funding National planning Central planning of agencies including Transport Scotland, Police Scotland etc.
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5. EXPECTED IMPACT AND BENEFITS TO PERTH & KINROSS 5.1 It is clear that an event of this scale, which would involve approximately 5,000 competitors and participants, in addition to potentially a matched number of family, friends and spectators would have a significant impact on the day-to- day routine of many businesses and residents. The main 160 km Gran Fondo route, and the shorter 85km Medio Fondo route, will require road closures for a number of hours on the day of the event, the length of which will depend on the location of the ward along the route. It is the intention that these will be kept as short as possible. Therefore, closures at the start of the route will be shorter than at the end of the route. 5.2 A defined communications plan for businesses and residents will be activated to provide information, assist with planning and ensure residents and businesses are informed of the disruption and potential opportunities. Effective communication will be key to mitigating the impact on businesses and residents on the day. Initial consultation on the route has commenced with elected members, in the form of individual ward briefings. The feedback from these sessions has largely been very positive, although concerns have been expressed about the impact on the road network on the day, and the subsequent impact to residents and businesses. These issues include: • how would the event organisers ensure access along the route to care visits/end of life visits, medical practices, bus and train stations and fields/animals by farmers to tend/feed livestock? • how would the event organisers ensure that businesses who required daily collections/deliveries could continue to operate • How would local businesses on the route be impacted – would any have to close as a result 5.3 The organisers have advised that managed access and emergency access plans will be in place. However, a considerable amount of work is required to consult, engage and advise businesses and residents. It is recognised that these issues will need to be carefully managed within each area and therefore will be a focus of activity as the preparations for the event develop. This will be the responsibility of the event organisers, working closely with the Council team. 5.4 Furthermore, the Perth Show will commence on 4 August 2023 and major road works will also be in progress on part of Tay Street. Discussions have already commenced with the organisers of the Perth Show, who have agreed to be part of the local organising committee for the Road Race to ensure that both events complement each other. Whilst the road works on Tay Street, which require a road closure, would not directly impact on the Road Race, they would add to the disruption on the day of the event on the road network. 5.5 By way of benefits, the organisers estimate that Perth and Kinross will benefit from the following as a result of hosting the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships:
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• International exposure, further building the reputation of Perth and Kinross as a location to visit. • Economic Impact estimate of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships is £2.7 million total (calculated on previous data using EventScotland Impact Calculator) • Significant use of local accommodation stock and visitor facilities with international athletes and their companions staying over in the region on average for 3 – 7 days. • Positive hospitality impact - Over 80% of riders travel with at least one other person. Approximately 5,000 participants therefore a total of over c.8,000 additional visitors to Perth and Kinross for the period of the event. • Perth and Kinross would become part of the overall World Championship marketing campaign. • Showcasing of the region within the 2023 UCI Championship’s with an estimated projected overall broadcast reach of 1 billion. • The creation of a “buzz” with visiting athletes, spectators & media • Increased exposure and promotion of existing events, attractions and other cycling trails in the region. Including the Perth Show • Potential for community events & activation, volunteering and increased local civic pride as part of a national event. • Being part of the National programme for Cycling from 2023 onwards including reduction of carbon footprint initiatives • Development of local volunteers through engagement with Cycling World Championships National Volunteer Programme • Potential to create a legacy Fondo Sportive beyond 2023 in Perth & Kinross 5.6 In addition, Perth & Kinross has benefited from ongoing policy led work generated by, and linked to, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, these include: • £50k investment into new cycle pump track in Auchterarder from SportScotland Community Development Fund • 4 events supported in P&K – total investment of £36k from EventScotland Community Cycling Fund • Cycling Project for children in rural Perthshire (£9.4k investment) from Sport Scotland Community Cycling Fund 5.7 In order to maximise the immediate and long-term benefits of the event to Perth and Kinross, two officer groups have been established focusing on both economic and community impact. Furthermore, once delivered the Gran Fondo courses remain World Championship courses, which could provide the potential for ongoing tourism and policy impacts. Tayside Involvement 5.8 It is important to note that whilst Perth and Kinross would be the host for the Gran Fondo Road Race, Dundee and Angus are in parallel discussions to host the Time Trial element of the UCI Grand Fondo World Championships,
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which would run on Monday 7 August 2023. Officers from both Councils have previously advised that elected members are supportive of the event, although formal committee approval is yet to be received. 6. PROPOSALS 6.1 The report seeks members approval to the proposed route of the Gran Fondo road race on 4 August 2023, as part of the UCI World Cycling Championships which will take place across Scotland in August 2023. 7. CONCLUSION 7.1 In the first event of its kind, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be the biggest cycling event in history. It will put Scotland on the world stage, attracting tens of thousands of visitors, and hundreds of millions of TV viewers. Perth and Kinross have an opportunity to be part of this event and host the Gran Fondo road race on 4 August 2023. Undoubtedly, the event will create disruption on the day, particularly to visitors and residents wishing to travel on, and around, the proposed route Author Name Designation Contact Details Mark Butterworth Head of Environmental & Consumer Services 01738 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 27 February 2023 APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – Map of Proposed Route
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial No Workforce No Asset Management (land, property, IST) Yes Assessments Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Legal and Governance No Risk No Consultation Internal Yes External Yes Communication Communications Plan No 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 The proposals in this report focus largely on priority (ii) within the Community Plan 2022-27. (ii) Mental and physical wellbeing Corporate Plan 1.2 The proposal within this report aim to contribute to all of the objectives within the draft new Corporate Plan: - (i) Children and young people grow up safe, respected, well-educated, and confident in their ability to realise their full potential. (ii) People and businesses are increasingly able to prosper in a local economy which support low carbon ambitions and offers opportunities for all; (iii) People can achieve their best physical and mental health and have access to quality care and support when they need it; (iv) Communities are resilient and physically, digital and socially connected; (v) Perth and Kinross is a safe and vibrant place, mitigating the impact of climate and environmental change for this and future generations.
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2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 By agreeing to be a host, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships would require the local authority to provide financial support in the form of ensuring the provision of suitable road surfaces (estimated at a cost of £0.100m), the provision of Traffic Management (up to £0.150m) and other activities such as waste management and security (up to £0.030m). Finance and Resources Committee at its meeting of 30 November 2022 agreed the above allocations. Workforce 2.2 Whilst the Gran Fondo Road race is not a Council event, a number of Council officers will be involved largely in a facilitation role to ensure that the event is undertaken safety, and that the benefits to Perth and Kinross are maximised and the impact on the day mitigated as much as possible. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 There are no direct asset management implications. 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 The event aims are underpinned by four key policy drivers - participation, transport, tourism and economy each of which align to the Council’s priorities, and whilst the Council will seek to ensure that the benefits to all are maximised, it is also important that the impact on the day of the proposed road closures to all demographic groups are mitigated as much as possible. This would include, for example, ensuring that access is still available to elderly and/or ill residents requiring daily medical and/or social care. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.2 The proposal to host the Gran Fondo Road race has been considered under the relevant Act and no further action is required as it does not qualify as a PPS as defined by the Act and is therefore exempt. Sustainability 3.3 A stated above, there is an ambition for the Championships to be a catalyst for change and progress in Scotland as regards cycling – continuing to transform the nation and make cycling part of the normal, everyday lives of everyone. This would include easing congestion on our roads to help the environment or simply making it easier for people to get around.
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3.4 The Championships and the UCI are signed up to the UN action plan for Climate change and are focusing on what steps can be taken to measure and reduce the environmental impacts of major events. Legal and Governance 3.5 In order to avoid “project creep” and additional financial pressures on the Council an agreement is in draft, which ensures that the Council’s financial contribution is capped. Risk 3.6 None. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 Initial meetings have been arranged with elected members from all Wards providing outline information on the overall 2023 UCI Cycling World Championship event, the Gran Fondo World Championships and the proposed routes. 4.2 It is important to note that in general terms the feedback from elected members has been very positive, although some concerns have been expressed with regard to the impact of such a large-scale event on a Friday in August. These concerns have focused primarily around the impact on businesses in Highland Perthshire, particularly Pitlochry, and traffic congestion in and around Perth City on the day of the event. External 4.3 To date there has been limited external consultation, however it is recognised by the organisers that an extensive communication campaign is required to ensure that the impact on the day is mitigated. 5. Communication 5.1 Given the scale of the proposed event, and the potential impact it is essential that an extensive communications and engagement plan is produced, with support from Council officers where appropriate. This is currently in production but will include town hall meetings and resident communications for all affected wards. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 None.