Residents angry at plans to hold NW200 day time practice

It is being proposed to have a longer practice race with roads closed from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

One Portstewart resident, Bryan Rooney whose home is on the course in Station Road, said: "This really hasn't been thought through by the organisers. People will be trapped in their homes during the working day.

"Health visitors, home helps and others won't be able to reach residents. Younger children who attend local creches and playgroup groups will be unable to do so. Deliveries and appointments – medical and otherwise will be disrupted.

"The vague talk of 'windows' during the day when residents can access their homes doesn't reassure me. We all know that technical problems and the weather can make these gaps unpredictable and brief.

"We have already seen the roads closed on the Saturday race day and practice evenings for longer spells in recent years. Now it's proposed to almost double the time of road closures on the Thursday and to maximise the inconvenience to locals, it's to be on a working day.

"What's to stop the North West 200 organisers doing the same for the Tuesday practice next year if this goes ahead?

"We are not against the North West 200 or people enjoying the spectacle, but the race organisers have to meet the local community half way and this is completely unacceptable in my view."

Mr Rooney also highlighted the problems that face schoolchildren who finish school at different times of the day.

"Schools have a staggered end to the day for different age groups. Nursery classes finish at noon, infants (P1-3) at 2pm and P4-7 at 3pm," he added.

"How will it be possible for parents/carers to collect children at all these varied times throughout the Thursday?

"Bear in mind two schools, Mill Strand and Carnalridge, are actually on the course itself, never mind the others, St Patricks, Portrush Primary, Portstewart Primary and St Colum's which will be affected by this intended road closure."