Green Party candidates have slammed as 'an ineffective tick-box exercise,' a consultation on plans for two motorbike road races on the Island's roads.

Two separate events, the Isle of Wight Road Races and the Diamond Races, want to bring elite bike racing across The Solent, to the Island.

Early-stage plans have revealed that Brook, Chessell, Tapnell, Freshwater Bay and Compton could all be on the route, with hard road closures, and the removal of road signs, street furniture and cat’s eyes.

In November, both Brighstone and Chale parish councils pledged to ask residents more about the Diamond Races proposal, promising extra consultation and hitting back at a suggestion that they supported the plans.

Since then, the Isle of Wight Road Races have been unveiled and both events have been postponed until 2022.

The Green Party says it has safety and environmental concerns over motorbike racing in the West Wight and has launched a survey (HERE), asking for the views of Island residents. 

However, bike race organisers say it is safety first.

As previously reported by The County Press, the Isle of Wight Road Races team launched a website last week, inviting comments and questions directly.

James Kaye, two-time winner of the British Touring Car Championship (1992 and 1994), who lives on the Island and is heading up the Isle of Wight Road Races, said: “I firmly believe that the benefits to the Island will far outweigh any temporary inconvenience.

"My organising team is determined to place the Isle of Wight on to the international motor sport map.”

Meanwhile, according to its website, Diamond Races has been 'developed in lockstep with the Isle of Wight council' and says it is has road safety at its heart.

A statement reads: "The Diamond Races will strive to highlight the paramount importance of safe road use, with meticulous attention paid to the safety of riders, spectators and officials, whilst incorporating a strategy to promote road safety."

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