The road ahead has been cleared for Formula E to return to Battersea Park this season. This after a local grassroots campaign sought to prevent the electric race from taking place in the London park space. Ultimately, the local borough council voted not to exercise the break clause in the contract with the series organizers.
Despite the green image projected by the electric racing series, protesters raised several objections to the event being held in the park. For one, they say, it inappropriately monopolized use of the public space over the course of the race weekend. It also took three weeks to set up, which disrupted the public's use of the space for a large chunk of the summer. For another, organizers reportedly failed to remove the fencing and tire marks in a timely fashion once the race was concluded.
Against the objections, however, the community services overview committee of the Conservative-dominated Wandsworth borough council reportedly voted 7-4 in favor of keeping the race and not invoking the break clause. One of the motivating factors behind the decision is said to have been the income which the council received from last year's event, offsetting the cuts slated for the council's budget. With the next such clause not coming up until 2017, the approval means the race should be secure for the next two seasons at least.
As with last season, the London ePrix will be a double-header at the end of the championship. This season's race will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3, 2016. That means the event won't conflict, as it did the first time around, with the Goodwood Festival of Speed that's scheduled for the last weekend in June.
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Despite the green image projected by the electric racing series, protesters raised several objections to the event being held in the park. For one, they say, it inappropriately monopolized use of the public space over the course of the race weekend. It also took three weeks to set up, which disrupted the public's use of the space for a large chunk of the summer. For another, organizers reportedly failed to remove the fencing and tire marks in a timely fashion once the race was concluded.
Against the objections, however, the community services overview committee of the Conservative-dominated Wandsworth borough council reportedly voted 7-4 in favor of keeping the race and not invoking the break clause. One of the motivating factors behind the decision is said to have been the income which the council received from last year's event, offsetting the cuts slated for the council's budget. With the next such clause not coming up until 2017, the approval means the race should be secure for the next two seasons at least.
As with last season, the London ePrix will be a double-header at the end of the championship. This season's race will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3, 2016. That means the event won't conflict, as it did the first time around, with the Goodwood Festival of Speed that's scheduled for the last weekend in June.
Related Video:
Featured Gallery 2015 Formula E London ePrix - Round 11
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