HAMPSHIRE’S top politician has warned that highway chiefs are powerless to regulate mass cycling events in the New Forest.

County council leader Roy Perry has distanced himself from remarks made by his predecessor, Ken Thornber, who had claimed that the authority would regulate the events unless organisers imposed a code of conduct.

As reported in the Daily Echo Cllr Thornber said the county council could invoke a by-law limiting the number of riders taking part.

But Cllr Perry said the authority had no legal power to impose any restrictions on the events.

And in an apparent slight to his predecessor – now chairman of the authority – he did not mention Cllr Thornber by name, merely referring to concerns raised by “local councillors”.

Cllr Perry said the county council was fully committed to supporting cycling in Hampshire.

He added: “The concerns of local residents relate very much to the scale and local impact of larger cycling events attracting thousands of riders to particular areas, which is disruptive to everyday life and business in the local community.

"In this regard local councillors are quite right to raise legitimate concerns on behalf of residents.

“Any event which brings thousands of people to an area, whether they are on foot, two or four wheels, needs to be carefully managed to limit the impact on the local community.

“Neither the district or county council have legal powers to restrict large-scale cycling events.

"However, we do endeavour to work with event organisers across Hampshire on traffic management plans, which include issues around briefing participants, signage, speeds and duties of marshals. In general these are effective in managing any traffic and safety issues. But the production and implementation of such traffic plans is purely voluntary on the part of event organisers.”

Cllr Thornber, who lives in the New Forest and represents the Brockenhurst and Beaulieu area, was addressing the annual Beaulieu Estate dinner when he made his comments about invoking a by-law to limit the number of riders taking part in events.

He said then: “Competitive cycling is changing the character of the Forest for the worse. If the organisers don’t agree to enforce a code of conduct it falls to us – the highway authority – to take action to regulate these events.

“We cannot allow masses of cyclists to sweep down our lanes two or three abreast at high speed, disregarding horse riders and endangering residents and animals.”

Describing the New Forest as the jewel in Hampshire’s crown Cllr Thornber added: “We will share it, but it must be on our terms.”

UK Cycling Events refused to comment on Cllr Thorn-ber’s remarks. However, the organisation had earlier defended the New Forest 100 Sportive that took place last month by highlighting the economic benefit to the area.

A spokesman said: “The ev-ent generated more than £322,000 for the New Forest economy, with 29 per cent of riders staying and eating locally.”