Fury over lack of consultation over Headingley student run

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Feb 2007

Local councillors have slammed the organisers of the Leeds Student Run for refusing to consult with Headingley residents before giving the event the green light. After major problems last year, councillors were assured by the organisers that residents would be properly consulted before any decision on the run was taken. As late as December, councillors were being told that it was unlikely that the run would go ahead, and that a meeting to discuss the event would not be necessary. Despite these assurances, an advert has been posted on the organiser's website saying the run is going ahead in April.

Councillor James Monaghan (Lib Dem, Headingley) said "The first hint we got was when our highways department told us that they had been asked by the organisers about road closures for the event. We now see that the event has been advertised on the internet as going ahead - even though the go ahead has not been given by the council."

Cllr Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) added "I have nothing against the principle of a Headingley run, but why get people's backs up by going ahead with this without asking those who will be most affected? As far as we are concerned, the event should not now go ahead unless the issues outstanding from last year are properly resolved. Given the blasé attitude taken by the organisers so far, I cannot see this happening"