A COUNCILLOR wants to review the number of road closures that were enforced for a major cycle race in the city.

Cllr Alan Amos has raised concerns about 'closure creep' after residents' complaints about the final phase of the Tour of Britain race, which started in Worcester on Sunday.

The councillor previously warned about the impact of road closures this month due to three major sporting events all taking place in September.

But many residents welcomed the Tour of Britain to the city and emphasised the economic benefits of the event.

Cllr Amos, county council cabinet member for roads, said: "I'm concerned that we will have had three events in three weeks involving significant road closures.

"The Tour of Britain is a popular event but my job is to keep traffic and people moving and businesses open.

"I've arranged to meet with officers after the third event to assess these closures and make sure there's been no closure creep i.e. that more roads haven't been closed and that closures haven't been on for longer.

"We have to strike a balance between events themselves and the rights and thoughts of residents and businesses to carry on with their business."

Chris Wise, owner of Cafe Severn on the Quay, in Grandstand Road, Worcester, said he had his second busiest day of the year so far on Sunday.

He said: “It was really good. We did much more business than usual. We had a full cafe for four hours.

“It was a rainy day and would have usually been a washout. We would have been sat around waiting for a dog walker.

“Events like this are crucial for keeping businesses like ours alive. Without that extra business it’s getting harder and harder to survive.

“I’d like to see more events. The half marathon should do well for business.”

Mr Wise, aged 60, added that the race transformed what would have been a bad Sunday into a good day of business.

Resident Mike Parkin wrote on Facebook: "[I] absolutely loved it.

"Great to see Worcester showing itself off and obviously brought a lot of people from out of the area into town to spectate.

"Well organised and very friendly. We should do more events like this."

The Tour of Britain, the Velo Birmingham ride and the Worcester City Half Marathon and 10k run all take place this month.

The pictures in this article were taken by members of the Worcester News Camera Club.

Cllr Amos encouraged any residents who experience delays as a result of the events to contact him on AAmos@worcestershire.gov.uk.