New law for grand prix races on English roads gets go-ahead

Motor-racing on the streets of English cities will move a step closer to reality on Monday when a new law is implemented, allowing motorsport promoters to apply for a license to host a race on public roads.

Until now, the law has banned such events from taking place, but that is set to change next week when the ban is lifted, in a move the government has said could provide a "real boost" to tourism in the country.

It's not uncommon for street races to take place in other countries, with Formula 1 hosting races on closed public roads in a number of cities including Monaco, Azerbaijan and Singapore. Formula E meanwhile is built around the idea of city-centre races.

"This could be a real boost for the economies of an area," transport minister Andrew Jones is quoted as saying by the BBC.

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"The examples would be in cycling. We had the Tour de France here, we had a Grand Depart in Yorkshire a couple of years ago and roads were closed as part of that event and thousands of people came to watch it.

"It had a huge impact, not just for boosting cycling in the UK, but for boosting tourism wherever it went."

Whilst an F1 race in London is a dream held by many, and could theoretically happen under the new law, it would still face fierce opposition. Formula E however could get the go-ahead after it dropped London from its calendar this year.

"In considering whether to support a Grand Prix in London, the mayor would need to see what the impacts are on air pollution," a spokesman for London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on the matter, adding that talks over Formula E were ongoing.