BUSINESSES affected by road closures in the Velothon cycle race could get compensation, an AM suggested.

The Velothon, held on June 14, saw up to 15,000 riders race 140km along closed roads in South Wales, including areas of Newport, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly.

Lindsay Whittle, representing South Wales East, said: “There was good news for charities and many businesses but the bad news was that many businesses suffered losses, lots were inconvenienced and some communities were literally cut off.”

The Plaid AM asked First Minister Carwyn Jones at the Senedd earlier today: “What compensation could be made available to those businesses which can prove a financial loss?”

Mr Jones replied: “They would have to pursue the organisers. How they can prove that loss is a matter for them. That would have to be balanced against the economic benefit the race brought and they would have to prove, I suppose, that there was something wrong in some way with the organisation of the event, particularly whether roads were closed appropriately.”

But he added: “If it is always going to be the case that businesses are in some way compensated when major events come to Wales then where does it stop?”

Conservative AM William Graham, also representing South Wales East, said communication between the race organisers and the public had not been effective.

He revealed that bus company Stagecoach had not been contacted at all about road closures and had to find out from local councils, a situation which he described as “incredible”.

Mr Jones replied: “There are numerous examples where communication was not as it should have been and organisers have to learn that. Not enough notice it’s clear was given to various businesses. We will work with the Velothon in future years to make sure these problems don’t occur in the future.”

He added that there would be a full post-event review including an assessment of economic benefits from the race, stressing that it was enjoyed by thousands and raised a large amount of money for charity.

Newport East AM John Griffiths joined the exchange saying the Velothon was part of the push to make Wales a cycling nation, with health benefits, quality of life benefits, transport and environmental benefits to be considered along with the economic boost.

Mr Jones said: “Cycling is undoubtedly popular, including with middle aged men in Lycra, or MIMILs are they are called. It’s important that where events have not been organised as well as they should have been, that that doesn’t damage the popularity of cycling.”

He added that developing better infrastructure for cyclists like dedicated bike lanes would help get more people cycling in Wales in the future.