Wandsworth Council vote to continue racing at Battersea Park

Wandsworth Council have voted the keep Battersea Park as the host of the London ePrix following a debate over whether or not to invoke a break clause. A formal protest took place outside the town hall before the meeting, in which were five deputations presenting their case for not hosting the race at Battersea.

The Save Battersea Park protesters were unhappy with the disruption to the park caused by the event, including the tarmacking and concreting of the park in preparation for the event, during which time the vast majority of the park was unusable by the public. Noise from helicopters and team lorries during the event were among other complaints. Post-event work was also criticised, with fencing and tyre marks still left in the park.

Many local residents claim that they were not consulted about the idea of hosting the race. Some say they only realised when construction work began.

Despite this, the local councillors believe that Formula E can be a positive thing for Battersea in developing the area and improving the local economy. The committee voted seven to four, with the next break clause unavailable until 2017.

The council will now work with the race organisers to make what councillors admitted were necessary improvements. Local awareness and health and safety improvements are top of the agenda, with a request for a helicopter not to be used for television also expected.

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