Tour de farce - farmer's anger at police handling of bike race
Police threatened a farmer with arrest yesterday for trying to drive a tractor 170 yards to his field – because 25 miles away the Tour of Britain cycle race was approaching.
Oliver Edwards only wanted to drive the short distance so he could get on with a day's work haymaking at his remote Somerset farm in the middle of Exmoor.
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But police marshalling the Tour of Britain insisted that because the short stretch of road was on the race route he had to wait until the cyclists passed – even though they were still only near Taunton at the time.
Matters came to a head when police ordered him to hand over the keys to his tractor and left the vehicle immobilised until after the cyclists had passed.
Last night, former Somerset NFU chairman Mr Edwards, from Westermill Farm, Exford, said he would be submitting an official complaint about the attitude of officers.
And, he said, he would be asking for a detailed explanation from Somerset County Council – which pays the tour organisers to include Somerset on the route – of just what benefits the event brings to the area.
Miles of main road across Exmoor were closed for yesterday's stage of the tour but, said Mr Edwards, the entire area was virtually paralysed as a result.
"I had seen the police there from early morning but when I went out with my tractor to start raking some hay I was prevented from going on to the road," he said.
"They were quite over zealous about the whole thing but when I pointed out that the riders had only just left Taunton and still had more than an hour to travel before they reached here that just seemed to make things worse.
"They got really officious and they just insisted the road was closed.
"I could see the gateway to the field about 170 yards away and I suggested they could give me a police escort along that stretch of the road so I could start work, but they refused. I suppose I got a bit militant, because I really didn't see why I couldn't travel that short distance of road, and then they got even heavier with me.
"Eventually I was given the option of handing over the keys of the tractor or having the matter taken further, so I had to back down.
"But I really resent this attitude – as do a lot of other people who live in this area.
"This event is massively expensive to stage, and all that it does is cause inconvenience for local people. Where are the supposed benefits?
"We have any number of local cycle races around here. They are all well-organised, they have proper support vehicles and they only use one side of the road, so there are no problems for other people. But this tour is just one big disruption – and as far I can see it brings no benefits whatsoever."
A police spokesman said yesterday: "Officers have been assisting with traffic management in relation to the event and one of their main purposes would be keeping the roads clear and safe while the event proceeds.
"If there have been complaints about how we have dealt with certain individuals then we would encourage those individuals to contact us directly so we can address their concerns."
6 Comments
by Paul, Somerset
Saturday, September 19 2009, 1:18PM
“The more you read Mr Edwards story the more you wonder what point he was trying to make. He says he told the Police that the riders were at Taunton an hour away. Firstly he underestimates the speed that the peleton travels at and secondly they never went through Taunton. He also asks what is the benefit, which would appear to be bringing visitors to the area to spend money - possibly even to places like Westermill Farm campsite and holiday home?
I found the Police escort very professional and curteous, but then I wasn't trying to drive against the oncoming race! Mr Edwards is lucky the roads don't shut all day, as they do on the continent .
It was an excellent spectacle and well orgainised so bring it on every year.”
by matthew mynott, bridgwater
Saturday, September 19 2009, 11:21AM
“the tour of britain is nothing short of a pain in the backside. to close off roads more than an hour before the eta of the cyclists is abysmal. mr edwards has lost what can only be described as valuble time, given the current weather in this country, to make his hay. it is a joke, why the police couldn't escort mr edwards to his field, of 170 yards away, it really baffles me. it would have taken nothing more than 5 minutes, and surely the police would be able to spare 5 minutes to do so. i can't honestly beleive that it is that important for the police to wait around for at least an hour, when they could be out doing what they are paid to do in catching criminals. nothing but a joke!”
by Paul, Somerset
Saturday, September 19 2009, 8:08AM
“Thismakes you wonder what Mr Edwards was really up to. As a former NFU Chairman is he so out of touch with local events he didn't know the Tour of Britain was passing through! He's also a bit disingenuous when he questions it's value! Tourism would be my guess and what a suprise he's trying to promote this on his farm website:-
http://www.westermill.com/index.htm
I wonder if any of his campers watched the tour?
So what point was he trying to make by driving his tractor? He's lucky it was a rolling road closure as he's be banned all day on the continent. The police operation was very profesional and I spoke to several offices whilst waiting. All were friendly and courteous.
As thousands of people turned out along the route Mr Edwards is in a minority and if he really wants to withdraw from society and community events perhaps society could leave him well alone and withdraw his subsidies!
Paul, who watched a great tour in Somerset.”
by Andy, Bath, Somerset
Friday, September 18 2009, 6:17PM
“We head down to watch the Tour each year and this year went down to watch the start in Frome (last year we visited Yeovilton and the year before Porlock). It's always a great day out and, to partly answer the question about what The Tour of Britain brings it is the our business and thousands like us. In comparison with other sports, cycle races are relatively cheap to run, and attract huge audiences.
This year we travelled over to France to watch the Tour there.
It's interesting comparing the two..
You don't read headlines in the French (or any other country for that matter) about some idiot complaing about being held up for a minutes or 'prevented from using the roads.
On the contrary. In every other country the roads are closed permanently, hours before the start of the race to allow spectators and cyclists watching the race to gather and to ensure everyone's safety.
But no, no-one complains because everyone comes out to watch and join-in the spectacle of the Tour passing through.
The atmosphere in Frome at the start was amazing.
Here, the police have a difficult job to do exactly because the roads are not closed. The race does not keep to a timetable, it can split into several groups and, unlike local club races, the peloton is 100 riders strong.
A few years ago a police motorcycle rider was tragically killed by a motorist who defied the order of his colleague to stop.
The police did not 'overreact' Mr Edwards was very lucky not to be arrested.”
by Tim, Somerset, still
Friday, September 18 2009, 3:36PM
“Actually, the race didn't go anywhere near Taunton! So how the riders could still be there I'm not sure.
From looking at the picture, this is all a load of bull...”
by Tim, Somerset
Friday, September 18 2009, 3:07PM
“Mr Edwards deserves a clip around the ear - what a prat. Of course the police have to be officious about the race route to keep things safe to the riders and spectators. Plus it's not like he did not have enough advance warning - the event has been promoted here for months.
I think it has been a wonderful spectacle and hope it comes back next year...”