ROADS in Monmouthshire will be subject to temporary closures as cycling events take place in August.

Following on from June's much criticised Velothon Wales cycling event, Monmouthshire County Council has announced details of road closures to allow the penultimate and final rounds of the British Cycling Elite Road Series to take place safely.

The championships include top name cyclists such as Olympic gold-medallist Ed Clancy and will visit Chepstow on Wednesday 5th August and Monmouth, as part of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, on Sunday 9th August.

Last year the series attracted more than 35,000 spectators and both races will be televised.

Chepstow's High Street, Bridge Street, Lower Church Street, Upper Church Street and Nelson Street will be closed on the day from 4pm to midnight as part of the racing.

Monmouth MP David Davies, who has been outspoken in criticising organisers of the Velothon Wales has said: "It certainly sounds like there will be a lot less disruption than the Velothon. The roads closed aren't the main routes into Chepstow.

"I hope that the public will be kept informed in the run up to the event."

The Velothon was organised by a different group – the UCI, world cycling's governing body – rather than British Cycling, which looks after bike related activities in the UK.

Based in Newport and travelling out to the Wye Valley and Usk, the Velothon saw protests in the shape of vandalism and sabotage by residents angry at the lack of notice given before roads they relied upon were closed for the day.

Mr Davies discovered a number of errors in the organisers statements and accused those who ran the event as lying to him and the public.

August's event has no connection to the Velothon and is being organised by groups that have seen success with past events, including when the British Cycling National Road Racing Championships visited the region in 2014.

This year's route will start in Abergavenny again, but the 113 mile race will travel out to Raglan and Monmouth twice during the race.

Councillor Bob Greenland, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Leisure, said: "We have seen great success in delivering cycling events over the past couple of years and Monmouthshire is committed to working to improve cycling opportunities across the region. 

"I look forward to another great weekend of cycling in our county. This year road closures will be at an absolute minimum to accommodate residents and businesses. We thank everyone for their cooperation in bringing these magnificent events to the county."

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