Angry Perth and Kinross Council officials launched an astonishing attack on campaigners opposed to the Etape Caledonia cycle race, describing them as “a handful of people who will never be satisfied.”
The local authority issued a strongly worded statement after The Courier contacted the press office to discuss concerns over the economic impact felt by some businesses in Highland Perthshire during the closed roads event.
Campaign group Anti-Closed Roads Events (ACRE) has vociferously opposed Etape since its inception, claiming it actually damages the local economy.
However, their arguments found little support at Perth and Kinross Council HQ.
“It should be acknowledged that ACRE is a very small group of individuals,” a spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said.
“We have come to accept that this handful of people will never be satisfied with anything this council does or says in relation to the Etape Caledonia.
“The council does not feel it is constructive to get involved in a protracted debate with them.”
Instead, the spokesman insisted the vast majority of businesses were in favour of the Etape.
“The independent economic impact surveys carried out following the Etape Caledonia each year since 2007 have been undertaken by a trusted professional organisation with many years’ experience of methodological research,” he said.
“The result of the 2009 survey carried out by EKOS showed that almost £1 million of economic benefit was brought to the Highland Perthshire area by the Etape Caledonia.
“We do not have any information on how this survey by the ‘ACRE’ group was gathered what businesses were polled, the method used to choose them, their geographic location, or the questions they were asked but we note that the ACRE findings present nothing to dispute this figure.
“A 21% response rate on a survey of this nature would not be considered valid data by professional and academic standards,” the spokesman said.Minority impact”However, by ACRE’s own admission its survey shows the number of businesses reporting a negative impact are by far in the minority.
The spokesman said efforts were being taken to tackle any problems associated with the closed roads event.
“The council is well aware that some businesses have reported an adverse impact on the day of the event, and we have been working with local communities in an effort to tackle this issue,” he continued.
“Last year’s EKOS survey found that the reports of negative impact on local people due to road closures had significantly reduced.
“We will continue to work with residents and businesses to make sure that everyone in Highland Perthshire can benefit from the Etape Caledonia.”
The spokesman said the council was determined to help businesses cash in during the event.
“We are concentrating on helping to deliver what promises to be the most successful Etape Caledonia event so far, ensuring that the thousands of visitors who come to Highland Perthshire this year leave with a positive impression of the area, and that local businesses can make the most of the opportunity the event presents them with,” he added.
Last year’s event was overshadowed after a high-profile sabotage attempt left hundreds of riders with punctures.