A MAJOR cycling event, descending on the district this month, could be barred from Bromsgrove's roads next year following a tidal wave of criticism.

The 100-mile Velo Birmingham race will see around 5,000 racing cyclists and 10,000 leisure cyclists take to the roads of Dodford, Belbroughton, Clent, Romsley and Frankley on Sunday, September 24.

Some residents and businesses have raised concerns about the impact of scheduled road closures, including licensee at Belbroughton's Ye Olde Horse Shoe Inn John Cleary, who worries he will have to shut his pub for the entire day.

Others in the area have raised concerns over the potential safety risks of thousands of cyclists racing on Bromsgrove's narrow country lanes.

One anonymous resident said: “I’m not against cycling but we haven’t got the roads for it. There’s only 200 racers in the Tour de France - we’ve got 15,000.”

County councillor Ken Pollock, responsible for economy and infrastructure, claims the event's future in Worcestershire is 'in the balance'.

He said there has been 'vehement' local opposition to the bike ride, which is the first of its kind in the region.

"The future of Velo in the county is very much in the balance," he told the Advertiser. "There's no commitment to 2018 and beyond. CSM has a contract with Birmingham City Council for five years.

"As Worcestershire County Council we will review 2017 before we decide to commit. We are very anxious that people should let us know what they think.

"The decision on next year will probably be discussed by cabinet. It may even come through to full council."

The councillor said he sympathised with businesses affected by the closures but encouraged them to make the most of the spectacle.

He added that about 10 per cent of the riders involved in the event were from Worcestershire, raising funds for charities like Alzheimer’s Society, NSPCC, Cure Leukaemia and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Organisers CSM Active said the route was agreed in partnership with Worcestershire council, emergency services and transport operators - and has stressed it will continue to work closely with residents and businesses along the route to minimise the impact of road closures.

Jon Ridgeon, executive chairman of Vélo Birmingham organisers CSM Active, said: "The route is truly spectacular and it is great to hear that so many of our participants will be riding to fundraise for a range of extremely worthwhile causes.

"I would like to thank all our local authority partners for their continuing commitment and support.”