Ashfield Independent Councillors have reacted to the news that The Tour of Britain will not come through Hucknall when the fifth stage takes in the county of Nottinghamshire on Thursday 8 September.

The decision was announced on Wednesday morning (6 April) that the 190km route from West Bridgford to Mansfield will not include any part of the Ashfield District.

This came as somewhat of a surprise to many local residents as the Tour saw the competitors cycle through the middle of Hucknall on the previous two occasions Nottinghamshire hosted a stage in 2017 and 2018.

Councillor Lee Waters who represents Hucknall North has spoken of his disappointment that the Tour will not be coming to the town.

Four years ago, the last time the tour visited Nottinghamshire, Councillor Waters took his son Alexander into Hucknall to see the cyclists ride through the town. They were both looking forward to a repeat later this year.

Councillor Waters suggested that there might be a specific reason why Hucknall missed out.

He said: "Let's face it -asking elite cyclists to race on Hucknall's broken roads is a little bit like asking a football team to play a match on broken glass. The event, to be held in Nottinghamshire on Thursday, September 8 will be close but not in Hucknall. That is a real shame.

"There's no doubt that the state of highways is one of the reasons this prestigious cycling race isn't coming to Hucknall. You have to ask yourself the question – are potholes to blame? There's no doubt that years of under investment from the Conservative County Council has had an impact. This has cost Hucknall's economy hundreds of thousands.

"Residents can be rest assured however that your Ashfield Independent Councillors will continue the fight to fix our broken roads and pavements. We want to be in a position to welcome the Tour of Britain to Hucknall in the near future."

Meanwhile, Ashfield District Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, Councillor Matt Relf has encouraged residents to head over to Mansfield on the day of the tour, to celebrate the occasion.

He said: "Whilst we are obviously disappointed not to be included, on the 8th September, we are asking the residents of Ashfield to travel to Mansfield and Market Warsop. Ashfield and Mansfield District Councils work regularly to promote North Nottinghamshire.

"When Mansfield does well – so does Ashfield and the rest of North Nottinghamshire. We are pleased to support Mansfield and hope in the future we can welcome the race back to the streets of Ashfield, Hucknall and Kirkby. Hopefully its return will only be a cycle ride away. We look forward to residents of both Ashfield and Mansfield supporting each other's business cultural events calendar."

For more information about the tour of Britain and its route through Nottinghamshire see here.