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Council slammed for “heavy handed” camping ban on Tour de France climb

No camping signs, boulders placed to prevent parking

A councillor who helped plan the routes of the two Tour de France stages in Yorkshire has hit out at what he sees as a “heavy handed” approach by Kirklees Council to forbid camping on the climb of Holme Moss and place boulders by the roadside to stop people parking vehicles there.

The council has placed yellow ‘No camping’ signs around the top of the climb, which features on Stage 2 of the race from York to Sheffield, as well as putting boulders in place at the roadside, reports the Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

But Martyn Bolt, a former mayor of Kirklees and a committee member of the Dave Rayner Fund which supports young cyclists looking to launch a professional career, says that the measures are “draconian.”

He told the newspaper: “I think Kirklees has been very heavy-handed over this. The signs send out completely the wrong message and anyone looking at where to go to watch the Tour may decide to go somewhere else instead.

“Kirklees have had workmen putting down these huge blocks of stone and I hope they have carried out a risk assessment. What they have done is create a potential hazard.

“If a cyclist had a mishap, such as a puncture, they could always veer onto the verge and have a relatively soft landing.

“Now they could hit a nine or 10-inch tall boulder, buckle a wheel and go head over heels over the handlebars. Then you also have to consider people walking and those with mobility problems.”

He added: “These are draconian preventative measures which penalise cyclists more than illegal campers.”

In a statement, a council spokesman said: “People are welcome to bring caravans and motorhomes to the event but we would ask that they follow the spectator guidelines and park only in designated car parks as they cannot be left at the roadside.

“This is to enable the safe running of the race, protect land owned by local people from damage and allow space for the large number of spectators who are expected to line the route at this iconic location.

“Verges between Holmfirth and Holmbridge are not generally wide enough to park a vehicle without obstructing the route and wider verges and the small number of lay-bys are to be used for essential race infrastructure.

“The council is currently in discussion with Yorkshire Water on the use of Holme Moss car park to host race essential infrastructure.

“Other areas on this part of the route are in the control of local landowners and their use and any charges will be at their own discretion.”

In its third and final report on preparations for the Tour published last week, the government-backed company Tour Hub 2014 Limited said it expected 60,000 spectators on the Holme Moss climb, and added that £100,000 had been taken from a contingency fund to ensure their safety.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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47 comments

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don simon fbpe | 9 years ago
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Having seen the images and the crowds on the climbs I feel that campers and traffic should be barred from all climbs. Very impressive crowds and a great advert for Le Tour de Yorkshire.

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mavisto | 9 years ago
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I was driving part of the route a couple of days ago and there are signs everywhere saying that your car will be towed if you park it there between the 1st and 6th of July.

The train companies are saying not to bring your bike to the event and the local councils are promising to close the roads from 6:30 AM to 8:00PM on the day of the event.

Obviously they don't want anyone to come and watch the damn thing.

I remember Cornwall in 1999 when they said the whole world was turning up for the total solar eclipse, the county lost millions of pounds because they scared everybody off.

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ducknumber1 | 9 years ago
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I don't know anyone involved, but is this not as simple as Conservative councillor attacks majority Labour council?

I found myself on Holme Moss when Sky recently came through on their recce, quite a few cars were parked up on the middle section of the top part of the climb, causing little trouble. More trouble was what appeared to be a tv crew closing off the car park at the top to do some filming, which meant more cars along the sides of the road

I am planning on riding up on the day itself, and may be confused with a slow moving boulder.

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andyp | 9 years ago
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Also, re the 'imagined' threat to safety. You're right, large lumps of stone along the side of a descent can in no way be said to be dangerous. I'm sure Fabio Casartelli will be along to add his voice in agreement. Oh, hang on...

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Chris James replied to andyp | 9 years ago
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andyp wrote:

Also, re the 'imagined' threat to safety. You're right, large lumps of stone along the side of a descent can in no way be said to be dangerous. I'm sure Fabio Casartelli will be along to add his voice in agreement. Oh, hang on...

If large lumps of stone next to the road are a problem then you might as well not come to Yorkshire. About 50% of the two stages are probably lined with dry stone walls......

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stealth | 9 years ago
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The thing is, you just know that somebody would try to spoil it by putting a camper on the hairpin bend in question. Road closure should mean pedestrians & cyclists only get up there, which is a good thing. The crowds are going to be huge, its the TdF FFS!! Enjoy it. Cambridge needs to embrace it too. I was in Reeth recently, they seem to be looking forward to it.  1

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don simon fbpe | 9 years ago
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I saw this article at lunchtime an had an opinion. I have now had my eyes opened by some local input, for I don't know the roads, and my opinion has changed. I do, however, know that European roads are built differently from British roads and do know that there appears to be so much bickering that the enjoyment of the racing is already being sucked out.
If the local authority says close the roads to campers, accept it and deal with it.

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pakennedy | 9 years ago
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I know Yorkshire quite well and it is quite common to see people camping in some unusual spots or parked up in silly places because of the glorious scenery.

I now live in Leicester and some of our sports and recreation areas have big boulders around them because of a certain element deciding to camp on them.

Leicester got their boulders from one of the biggest granite quarries in Europe... Croft... just down the road a few miles.

I saw this story and thought. "They're lining the roadside with boulders in places? I bet they didn't need to transport them far!"

Around there, all they probably needed was a winch!

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Chris James | 9 years ago
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In the interests of transparency langsett, aren't you Councillor Bolt?

As far as fires are concerned I don't know where camp sites are located, but the moor near Hepworth was on fire for the best part of two weeks, and there have been some bad fires on Holme Moss itself in the last few years.

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langsett | 9 years ago
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“Verges between Holmfirth and Holmbridge are not generally wide enough to park a vehicle without obstructing the route and wider verges and the small number of lay-bys are to be used for essential race infrastructure."

The council are correct, as there are no verges between the 2 places they mention, but as Holme Moss is AFTER Holmbridge, then perhaps they need to learn the geography before they speak?

There IS a wide verge on the lower slopes of Holme Moss, adequate for spectators, to watch, and run alongside the race without the danger of the boulders

The local authorities were on board before Government simply allocated the money it had ring fenced for the failed Scottish bid they UK Sport and others were backing

As for fire risk, does that mysteriously vanish when the campers are asked to pay a high price to pitch up in a field

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leguape replied to langsett | 9 years ago
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langsett wrote:

The local authorities were on board before Government simply allocated the money it had ring fenced for the failed Scottish bid they UK Sport and others were backing

They were on board for an event they were sold as costing nearer £10m, not the £21m it seems to be running to now. And the government money isn't the same UK sport/DCMS pot earmarked for the Scottish bid, because they declined to put in citing lack of planning for stage 3. The government money came direct from Treasury the day after DCMS bounced Yorkshire's request.

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TDF Reject | 9 years ago
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You have a choice, come to Gods County (Yorkshire) and enjoy the festival that is the tour....or don't...and stop winging on about boulders. It's done live with it.
FFS Holme Moss is a tough place without knobs parking cars enroute. There will be 60,000 up the Moss and you want to encourage cars and motor homes to go up there..and mix with cyclists. Great idea. Keep your opinions in Surrey and stay at home

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andyp replied to TDF Reject | 9 years ago
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TDF Reject wrote:

You have a choice, come to Gods County (Yorkshire) and enjoy the festival that is the tour....or don't...and stop winging on about boulders. It's done live with it.
FFS Holme Moss is a tough place without knobs parking cars enroute. There will be 60,000 up the Moss and you want to encourage cars and motor homes to go up there..and mix with cyclists. Great idea. Keep your opinions in Surrey and stay at home

Ah, the traditional Yorkshire warm welcome.

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farrell | 9 years ago
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How do you stop vehicles going up though? The road is going to be open until 6:30 on the day so you could drive up and sling it at the side of the road at any time before that. Have they got a vehicle carrier big enough for a massive Winnebago type affair at the ready?

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Some Fella | 9 years ago
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When i woke up this morning i have to say i never expected to read the sentence:
"There is no point debating with you and your bizarre boulder conspiracies."

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Chris James replied to Some Fella | 9 years ago
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Some Fella wrote:

When i woke up this morning i have to say i never expected to read the sentence:
"There is no point debating with you and your bizarre boulder conspiracies."

I must admit i quite enjoyed typing it  4

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cisgil23 | 9 years ago
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There are two points on this article that I would like to comment on, viz :
1) Leguape wrote
--------------
"Jobsworths like the French police and gendarmes do every year in France? I watches them doing exactly what you describe as "jobsworth" to riders trying to get up Col de Pailheres last year.
You ever had any dealing with ASO, or local bodies in France? Because let me tell you, they make what you call jobsworth seem like light touch regulation".
------------
That's generally the case with everyday admin, but not the Tour, or most cycling-connected examples.
I rode between Nyons and Aubres-LesPilles (about 9 km ) just before the publicity caravan was due, and well after the road was closed to traffic. No problem, in fact loads of cheers !
2) I agree with those that ask why instead of boulders, they simply stop vehicles going up. If you want to watch it up there, walk or ride up. For camping, give the local economy a boost by paying someone for a pitch. Easy-peasy.

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Leodis | 9 years ago
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I do hope many of you moaning twats don't come.

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andyp | 9 years ago
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'And since I am actually a Kirklees council tax payer it is me who is paying!'

Just you?

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Chris James replied to andyp | 9 years ago
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andyp wrote:

'And since I am actually a Kirklees council tax payer it is me who is paying!'

Just you?

No, not just me. Although I may be the only person posting on this thread who is paying council tax to Kirklees. I may also be the only person on this thread who is facing the threats to my safety imagined by Martyn Bolt when I descend Holme Moss into Holme. And I am quite happy with the boulders thanks very much.

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andyp replied to Chris James | 9 years ago
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Chris James wrote:
andyp wrote:

'And since I am actually a Kirklees council tax payer it is me who is paying!'

Just you?

No, not just me. Although I may be the only person posting on this thread who is paying council tax to Kirklees. I may also be the only person on this thread who is facing the threats to my safety imagined by Martyn Bolt when I descend Holme Moss into Holme.

You're very definitely not either.

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Him Up North replied to Chris James | 9 years ago
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Chris James wrote:
andyp wrote:

'And since I am actually a Kirklees council tax payer it is me who is paying!'

Just you?

No, not just me. Although I may be the only person posting on this thread who is paying council tax to Kirklees.

I have the dubious honour of paying my local taxes to Kirklees too. My wife is also employed by them. Bloated and blind to priorities (as a different poster suggested) is nowhere near the truth, I can tell you.

As for Holme Moss and its approaches, I am as giddy as a schoolgirl at the prospect of being there on Sunday 6th July. It's going to be fantastic. If fewer motorhomes means more space for people to stand and watch then all the better for it. The council have provided a good deal of useful information so far for visitors and I really hope it's a success for everyone concerned.

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usedtobefaster | 9 years ago
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Wouldn't it have been simpler (and less costly) to have closed the road earlier than the current plan and have the police clear the climb of anything that doesn't have permission to be there?

I'm beginning to think deciding not to go to Yorkshire is a good idea.

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Chris James replied to usedtobefaster | 9 years ago
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usedtobefaster wrote:

Wouldn't it have been simpler (and less costly) to have closed the road earlier than the current plan and have the police clear the climb of anything that doesn't have permission to be there?

The road is an important trans Pennine route and it is already being closed two days before the actual race!

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Matt Page | 9 years ago
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Makes you wonder how on earth they cope in France.

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Ed Greenough | 9 years ago
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Half a dozen local cyclists with a spud bar could fix this...

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antigee | 9 years ago
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“Verges between Holmfirth and Holmbridge are not generally wide enough to park a vehicle without obstructing the route and wider verges and the small number of lay-bys are to be used for essential race infrastructure."

an accurate description of what the local authority has to deal with and a reasonable enough response to ensure an event watched by the world runs smoothly - not reasonable to criticise a bit of foresight and planning , pretty sure those that criticise councils for over reaction in dealing with an unknown number of spectators would be the same people up in arms if councils had failed to prepare adequately

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oozaveared replied to antigee | 9 years ago
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antigee wrote:

an accurate description of what the local authority has to deal with and a reasonable enough response to ensure an event watched by the world runs smoothly - not reasonable to criticise a bit of foresight and planning , pretty sure those that criticise councils for over reaction in dealing with an unknown number of spectators would be the same people up in arms if councils had failed to prepare adequately

There's nothing preparing adequately about it. Just put up a sign saying you can't park here between these dates and if you do your vehicle will be removed and you'll pay a big fine and fee to get it back. Like Surrey does when the big bike races come through. The threat is enough. It's self financing because you just get the police to issue the order and then have it towed privately if necessary. The fee covers the towing and storage. The threat will be enough. But then that's common sense and that's not going to keep too many jobsworths in their jobs for very long is it?

Have you ever seen the Tour de France by the way? Could be worth a watch for you to see how the rest of the stages operate. I expect it will be a bit of an eye opener to realise that you don't need to put boulders either side of the road to make it work. Fans are part of it. It's a carnival not a funeral.

Yorkshire has some lovely countryside but by god it's got more than it's share of miserable joyless gits that can take the fun out of almost anything.

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Chris James replied to oozaveared | 9 years ago
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oozaveared wrote:

Just put up a sign saying you can't park here between these dates .... The threat is enough. It's self financing because you just get the police to issue the order and then have it towed privately if necessary. The fee covers the towing and storage.

They HAVE put up signs, just as you suggested. They have also put a handful of small boulders on the upper hairpin and (by the look of the photos on the Examiner website) one rough piece of ground that could act as a layby. Most of the road up has a ditch on one side and a crash barrier on the other so it would be impossible to park up without blocking one carriageway.

The Pennines is plastered with old gritstone quarries so getting hold of stone costs buttons. It makes more sense to put a few stones down to prevent a problem than try to tow some arsehole off the road who tries to drive up as the race approaches!

I would imagine the fire risk is also a reason for wanting to prevent people trying to camp up. They have only just put out the fire at Hepworth and that was going for about two weeks. The whole area is a tinder box.

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Sit at the back... replied to oozaveared | 9 years ago
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Cycling IS like a church... Pointless and faintly ridiculous.

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