FURTHER consultation on road closures will be carried out by a Gwent council ahead of a major cycling event despite fears some parts of the county borough will be “cut off” for a day.

Caerphilly council cabinet members met today to discuss the potential disruption caused by Velothon Wales on June 14 where 15,000 cyclists will descend on various parts of Gwent. It offers a challenging 140km route for elite riders and a 50km route for less experienced cyclists.

Roads along the proposed routes will need to be fully closed for up to eight hours or more, the report said. It also claimed some traders and residents will be affected due to the closures.

The authority’s interim chief executive, Chris Burns, said the Welsh Government sees the event as “quite a major part of putting Wales on the map for tourism in general”.

But Mr Burns added: “This will not be as convenient for people as a normal day. Some people will be greatly inconvenienced. Pantside, for example, will be cut off for the day.”

Gary Johnston, Labour councillor for Newbridge, told cabinet members not to “waste money” on further consultation.

“I cannot see any positives for this borough whatsoever,” he said. “People missing work will not be paid. We were elected to represent the residents, not the [Welsh Government]. We’ve nothing to gain from this.”

Cllr Robin Woodyatt, cabinet member for social services, said: “The implications will be absolutely tremendous but people have said it will be a massive boost for the area. People have said to me although they’re against it in principle, it’s not going to affect them a great deal.

“I can’t find it in me to welcome this but we should not – as my first instinct told me – throw it away. I don’t think we have an alternative but to go to consultation.”

The proposed road closures will now be the subject of extensive formal consultations, after members eventually voted in favour of the move.

Andrew Taylor, event director of Velothon Wales, said: “We are continuing to consult local businesses individually to ensure they are kept informed with our plans and so they can raise any issues directly with us.

"We will be contacting local residents in plenty of time before the event to ensure everyone has the correct information on road closures and timings."