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.
"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.
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