By Eric Nicolson

THE BITTERNESS surrounding Perth and Kinross Council’s continued support of a controversial closed-road cycle race in Highland Perthshire was cranked up a notch yesterday after objectors—a Church of Scotland minister among them—walked out of a council meeting in disgust.

Members of the enterprise and infrastructure committee voted by nine votes to two to give the final go-ahead to the Etape Caledonia event for a second year.

Ahead of the meeting, members of the protest group ACRE (Anti Closed Road Event) made their feelings known outside the council chambers.

Two of their number, as well as a speaker in favour of the event, were allowed to address members, but it was during the subsequent councillors’ debate that tempers became frayed and the walkouts started.

The convener, Councillor John Kellas, was nearing the end of his lengthy contribution to the debate when the first member of the public stood up and challenged him before storming out.

One reason for opposition is the impact the event would have on Sunday morning church services.

When Councillor Willie Wilson said it would not be unreasonable to suggest that church service times could be altered for this one day in the year, a minister voiced her disapproval from the public benches.

Then she and another member of the public stormed out.

Mr Wilson hit back, saying it “showed a closed mind and not an open mind” and that he was “disappointed that a Church of Scotland minister does not want to listen to a suggestion.”

The committee had been told the event, which will run over 81 miles of closed roads, has been moulded by the opinions of residents and local businesses.

This year’s race will start earlier than last year’s.

The length of time that each section of road is closed will be shortened considerably, the shorter 28-mile course incorporated into last year’s event has been removed and the average speed for participants has been raised to keep road closures short.

This has not won over ACRE, however, and member Andrew Pointer said, “Some of ACRE’s members have a very direct reason for being against the closure of roads—their businesses will lose literally thousands of pounds.

“Others are frustrated and concerned because the access to their properties will be barred for a significant part of a summer Sunday or their organisations—including several churches—will be severely disrupted.

“There is also a passionately held feeling this council has acted badly over this matter, having failed in its promise to properly consult the people, and misrepresented the level of local opposition.

“The report before you gives an inadequate picture of the damage a closed road event will cause to the fragile economy of Highland Perthshire and underplays the true level of feelings of people in this area.”

More than 30 people have already pledged over £50 each to help “support the costs” of opposing the council’s decision.

Several councillors spoke in favour of the event.

Bob Ellis said, “Now that our race has attracted major sponsors we could get televised coverage in later years.

“Can you imagine what benefits that alone would bring. The scenery we have around the 81-mile route would make people come here and enjoy what we have to offer.”

Ian Brown of the Perthshire Tourist Forum, which represents 500 local businesses, also spoke of the potential benefits, saying, “major events like this create a real opportunity to showcase Highland Perthshire.”

Mr Kellas said he hoped the event would grow in a similar fashion to the Great North Run, which had its critics locally in its formative years. He felt Etape Caledonia could become an event of European stature.

Councillor Ken Lyall wanted the start time brought back even further to 6.30am but his amendment was defeated.

The event will take place on May 18.