A LAST-ditch legal challenge to Velo South charity ride road closures on Sunday that will “effectively kettle a huge area of West Sussex”, could scupper the event for 15,000 cyclists.

West Sussex County Council were waiting to hear yesterday (Wednesday) if its legal team had been successful in seeing off the challenge, and the temporary traffic regulation orders for the 100-mile closed road event could be made.

The raft of proposed road closures, slammed as ‘excessive’ by objectors, includes closing the A286 for nine hours from 8.15am on Sunday at Fernhurst to allow cyclists to cross from Vann Road to Church Road, with traffic diverted towards the A3 at Liphook, and the A272.

Fernhurst Parish Council, which strongly opposes the closures, had called for temporary traffic lights to be installed, but to no avail.

The A283 will also be closed at Fisherstreet from 8am-4pm with taffic lights installed to allow cyclists to cross.

The challenge on behalf of objectors by Guildford solicitors Cheyney Goulding, was made on the grounds the council had failed to conduct a ‘legally adequate’ consultation, not paid due regard to special events guidance, and not consulted the Secretary of State.

A West Sussex spokesman said: “On August 31, the county council received a letter from lawyers instructed by five residents.

“The letter makes a number of claims on behalf of those individuals about the procedure and arrangements for enabling road closures in connection with the proposed Velo South cycle event.

“The county council has now provided a full response to the lawyers as required in accordance with the formal process in which the letter was sent.

“We now await the outcome of this decision.”

A Vélo South spokesman said: “More than 162,000 leaflets have been distributed to residents and businesses across the whole route since February and numerous roadshows have been held to communicate details about the event and the necessary road closures.”

Fernhurst Parish Council clerk Kevin Jones told The Herald: “Effectively a huge area of West Sussex will be kettled and West Sussex CC has not been open and transparent about what’s going on.

“We made representations to West Sussex CC. Basically everyone is saying they were not consulted.

“The biggest complaint is about the way the road closures have been imposed without consultation.

“The A286 closure means some people could face a huge detour to get to Midhurst. West Sussex CC seem to be totally impervious to the strong feelings.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen on the day when traffic arrives at the road block – it will just take one HGV unable to turn around to cause chaos.

“Organisers are doing everything to promote the event and not enough to alleviate the impact,” he added.

The village road closures mean Fernhurst vicar Rev Nick Haigh has made the ‘difficult decision’ to shut the church on Sunday, for the first time in his ministry.

Mr Haigh said: “No-one can park on Church Road and the green will be cordoned off. I know of one wedding service in Harting that had to be cancelled.

“A lot of people come by car because they are elderly. Residents have been told they can’t park their cars outside their homes or they will be removed.

“That has caused huge problems for those without off-street parking.

“People are not anti-cyclist, but its the absence of local consultation before the decision was made and the sheer length of the closure time. ”

Lurgashall pub Noah’s Ark co-licensee Amy Whitmore is one of many local businesses poised to sue the county council for compensation due to loss of earnings.

She also stressed she had nothing against cyclists generally.

Mrs Whitmore objected: “We had no direct contact from Velo South or West Sussex CC.

“Our normal Sunday takings are around £4,500 but we have had hardly any bookings. It’s a huge financial impact.

“Our staff live in Midhurst and their journey here will take half an hour longer.”

Taking up the cudgels on behalf of her constituents, Chichester District MP Gillian Keegan said:“Some residents are challenging the road closures.

“I think it is reasonable that they looked into as some stretches of roads are due to be closed for more than eight hours.

“While the direct impact of the road closures is clear, there are wider implications that may not have been fully considered, because access roads are blocked.”