THE inaugural Velo South Cycle Event has caused anger and uproar among residents in Milland and Rogate which are on the main route.

Organisers CSM Sport and Entertainment, a marketing agency chaired by Lord Sebastian Coe, is being accused of causing chaos and a grand lock-down across the area.

On the morning of Sunday, September 23, Goodwood Motor Circuit will welcome 15,000 cyclists onto its hallowed Tarmac for the start of the first ever Vélo South – a new 100-mile closed road sportive for the UK.

According to Milland Parish Council, the planned route through the West Sussex countryside will completely shut down the village centre along the Fernhurst and Rake Roads, from 8.30am until 5.30pm – nine hours in total.

People living along the two roads will not be allowed to leave their homes by car or any other form of transport and are being advised to park ‘in another suitable location’ overnight if they have to go elsewhere during the day.

Pedestrians are not allowed to walk on the closed roads, and since there are no pavements on both of the affected major roads, they will also be stranded.

It will also be impossible for users of Milland Lane and Iping Road to go across The Rising Sun crossroads in a vehicle during the closure period, which is expected to have a detrimental effect on the pub’s and Community Store’s Sunday trade.

Other concerns raised by residents are the lack of access for emergency services, the clearance of litter left by cyclists and the cancellation of Sunday church services.

Several Milland residents have investigated the proposed road closures in depth and sought further information from the Velo South route team and West Sussex County council, since the merits of the event and associated road closures are causing huge concerns.

They are blaming the county council for not consulting affected communities before agreeing the ride’s route – and for not keeping them regularly informed about developments.

CSM reportedly approached the council back in 2017 about staging the event and West Sussex’s cabinet confirmed its general support – without consulting its own councillors or any of the affected parish councils.

CSM and the county council have also implied they are planning the same event – only larger – for the next five years.

Milland Parish Council has decided to set up a working party to see how the effects of the road closures could be mitigated, with or without the help of CMS and WSCC, and to also object formally to the extend of the road closures.

The parish council has sent a letter to West Sussex’s Tory leader Louise Goldsmith, expressing its principal concerns, since the road closures will cut the village in half all day, thereby not just affecting 104 households, whose only access is via the closed route – but also the majority of those who live north and south of of Milland.

Parish councillors also strongly object to the duration of the closure and the fact the crossroads at the heart of the village will be closed

They feel that will have a significant adverse impact on farms and equestrian businesses, churchgoers, the Community Shop, The Rising Sun pub, access to the village green, Milland Sports Club, as well as residents who rely on careers or health workers, couriers and emergency services.

The 15,000 cyclists are due to approach Milland from Loxwood, via Lurgashall and Fernhurst, and continue westwards through the Combe before turning south towards Rogate, Harting and Compton on their way back to Goodwood.

Two roads in Fernhurst are also due to be shut, including Lickfold/Church Road between 8.15am and 4.45pm and Vann Road, from 8.30am until 5.30pm.

West Sussex CC described Velo South as a “great spectacle... and an opportunity for communities while providing a platform for charities to raise money for good causes”.

A ‘Stop Velo South’ protest petition has been launched by West Sussex residents who are concerned about the event becoming an annual fixture.

A Velo South spokesman told The Herald: “Road closures are necessary to ensure the safe delivery of the inaugural Velo South.

“Residents or businesses with access concerns are encouraged to email the organisers, who will address any concerns and facilitiate access wherever possible.

“Organisers will continue working closely with West Sussex and parish councils to deliver a successful event.”