Back in May Cyclo reported that “advanced talks” had apparently taken place between the organisers of the Tour de France and the regional tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire about the possibility of holding the 2016 Grand Depart (the opening 2 days/stages) in the county. At the time Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, commented: “…in-depth discussions are ongoing but I can reveal Yorkshire’s bid has been positively received by the organising committee at this stage.”
Now though it seems that a spanner may be in the works as cyclists have threatened to take Sheffield city council to court for failing to repair potholes on a section likely to be considered for Le Tour’s first UK visit since Kent in 2007. The section, known as “the Strines”, links the A616 with the A57 at Ladybower, and has previously featured in the Tour of Britain. The possible action against the council is being brought by Martyn Bolt, a trustee of The Cyclists’ Defence Fund (CDF), who is using a little known part of the Highways Act to either force repairs or have the council face the courts.
