THIS year’s Tour of Britain generated almost £6 million for the south

west economy with almost a quarter of a million people turning out to

see the two stages in the region, Devon and Somerset County Councils

can reveal.

An independent survey carried out by consultation

company Ekosgen, has estimated that an additional £5.8 million was

spent in Devon and Somerset over the two days that Britain’s top cycle

race was in the region.

Over 230,000 spectators lined the roads

of the two stages from Frome to Bideford and Hatherleigh to Yeovil.

Thousands of children from schools along the route were among those who

turned out after receiving visits from the South West Bike Academy, who

gave a presentation about the benefits of cycling to approximately

10,000 pupils in the weeks leading up to the race.

Spectators

in Bideford saw Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen of Team Columbia-HTC

take his fourth stage win of the Tour on his way to eventually winning

the overall Yellow Jersey. And Yeovil cheered home the first British

stage winner since 2007 as Ben Swift of Team Katusha took his first

professional victory.

Councillor William Mumford, Devon County

Council Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic

Planning, said: “Devon and Somerset can feel proud to have hosted some

of the most spectacular racing of this year’s Tour, and to hear that

more than 230,000 spectators lined the route shows the enthusiasm for

the event here in the region. These incredible figures are great news

for the local economy and it shows the advantage of the two authorities

working together. I’m sure visitors who came to watch the race in the

area will have seen what the region has to offer and hopefully they

will return again next year.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon

County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said:

“The crowds at both south west stages in Devon and Somerset were

incredible and it gave the race a really special atmosphere. I think

the amount of spectators and the money generated by hosting the Tour

clearly demonstrates there is a great deal of support for cycling in

Devon. I’m sure we can continue to build on this success and put Devon

on the map as a perfect destination for a cycling holiday.”

Councillor

David Huxtable, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources,

said: “The Tour of Britain has yet again proven to be a great success

in the South West. The economic benefits for Somerset have far exceeded

Somerset County Council’s expectations according to the survey, which

is great news for local businesses – particularly in these difficult

economic times.

“The partnership with Devon County Council has

worked very well. We look forward to working with them again in 2010

and maintaining the South West’s reputation for holding the two best

stages of Tour of Britain racing.”

To view the highlights of this year’s Tour of Britain South West stages, visit www.youtube.com/SWTOB