Cabinet in Leeds video: Yorkshire demands Tour De France funding

THE team behind next year’s visit of the world’s greatest cycle race to the UK, starting in Yorkshire, has told the Cabinet how the Government can help support the event.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jan 2013, 17:17 BST

The first two stages of the Tour de France will take place in Yorkshire in 18 months’ time, with a third stage planned between Cambridge and London.

Gary Verity, who led the successful bid to bring the Tour to the UK, was invited to brief Prime Minister David Cameron and the Cabinet as they met in Leeds city centre.

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Mr Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire, said: “Being asked to brief the Cabinet about the Tour de France shows how seriously this Government is taking the Grand Depart.

“This is undoubtedly a moment for the whole country, not just Yorkshire, to celebrate and today’s positive discussions and feedback from the Cabinet show we are now moving in the right direction.

“Make no mistake, this is a national event, co-ordinated in Yorkshire, for the benefit of Britain. The Cabinet understood that today and I look forward to more positive conversations in the weeks and months ahead.”

Mr Verity said he will have a further meeting with Culture Secretary Maria Miller.

He said early estimates were that the Tour’s visit would generate £100 million for the UK.

The Yorkshire bid succeeded against competition from European cities including Florence and Edinburgh.

Related topics:YorkshireTour de FranceGovernmentLeedsDavid Cameron