Flagship Olympic legacy sportive 'could put animals' lives at risk says charity

A flagship sportive that makes up part of the London Olympic Legacy could put animals' lives at risk, a welfare charity has said.

The Prudential RideLondon 100 in August will see 20,000 cyclists of all abilities ride 100 miles over a modified version of the London 2012 Olympic Road Race route.

But road closures that will be put in place will close Randalls Road in Surrey, where the Randalls Farmhouse Veterinary Hospital is based.

In a statement to Eagle Radio, Prudential RideLondon said: "The county council has worked with neighbouring businesses to provide the Foundation with a direct route to the M25 and from there on to anywhere in Surrey throughout the day. So, although Randalls Road will be closed, there will be an alternative access route for the Foundation's use throughout the event."

But Simon Cowell, Founder of the Wildlife Aid Foundation, seemed not to be convinced. He said: “They came up with some ideas of how they can help us, but following  the Olympics we know those ideas won’t and can’t work. So we asked them if they can change the route, especially for next year, but they’ve got bigger fish to fry.”

“We could go out eight or nine times in the day to rescue animals that have to be rescued from the roadside or trapped in something and need to be rescued quickly. They’re lying there in a great amount of pain.

“As for patients coming in, there’s now 50 or 60 patients a day that can’t come in – I find that very distressing."