Veteran Racing - Event Marshalling Update

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Accredited Marshals for Cycle Race Events on the Public Highway

To All TLI Cycling and LVRC  Members

As you are probably aware, for the past few years BC (British Cycling) has taken the lead, on behalf of themselves and other cycling organisations, to renegotiate aspects of the 1960 Cycle Racing on the Highway Regulations. The aim is to maintain cycle racing on the public highway and to make the Regulations better suited to 21^st Century traffic conditions. Back in 2010, TLI Cycling and the LVRC did offer practical support for this initiative. However, with reluctance and for the sake of simplicity at the national level, we agreed to BC being the representative body on the national negotiations. This agreement was on the clear understanding that the outcomes would be applicable and practicable for both TLI Cycling and the LVRC. To support the national project a representative of ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) has been seconded to BC for the last two years.

A significant outcome of this work is the creation of the “Accredited Marshal” role which enables trained marshals to use a “Stop-Event” school-crossing-patrol type sign. The sign gives a trained marshal the power to stop and hold traffic for short durations. This exciting and welcome development is currently being trialled in Cheshire and within certain other Police authorities.

TLI Cycling and the LVRC, annually provide age-related cycle racing for around 4,000 Full Members. We promote about 350 events, each providing 2 or 3 races within each event, all across the UK. TLI Cycling and the LVRC have jointly requested access to the training guidelines for Accredited Marshals currently held by BC. The intention is to similarly train TLI Cycling and LVRC members who may wish to become Accredited Marshals to enhance and support our current racing programmes.

TLI Cycling and the LVRC are concerned to provide this training in order to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of our respective 2014 racing programmes, as it is likely that over time Police forces may, in the near future, insist on the provision of Accredited Marshals as a condition of an event taking place.

A quality training provider has been identified and, subject to BC releasing the training criteria in the near future, high quality courses will be offered to fulfil the requirements of the Accredited Marshal scheme, from late September 2013. The intention is to provide the training course at no cost to members. We do not intend to place any restrictions on members who may wish to provide the service to a different organisation, including BC. Our aim is the maintenance and preservation of cycle racing on our roads, particularly age-related racing

For now, please be aware of the national developments and think about the contribution you may be able to make as an Accredited Marshal.

We will of course keep you fully informed of our progress in these developments in the first instance on our web sites and if appropriate by other direct means.

Nigel Harrop                                                               Don Parry

National Secretary TLI Cycling                                               Chairman, LVRC  "