“It's a pity that the Evening Post didn't do a better job on reporting both sides of the beach race story. So far, there has only been mention of the noise nuisance (which will be temporary) and minimal detail of the environmental impacts which will be much more permanent. The only reference has been to heavy metals contained currently within the sediment. There are a whole host of other environmental impacts which have not been considered and have not been brought to the public attention. The Council spend money on a daily basis keeping the promenade free from sand. This is only going to increase as the sand grains are disturbed by motorbikes and also by the digging up of sand to create the jumps. By activating more wind-blown sand, more costs will be involved in clearing the paths. How much sand is going to be moved?? How much sand is there on the beach?? How deep is the sand?? Do we know the answers to any of these questions before the digging begins?? Swansea Bay is host to important species and habitats, which are also of great importance to Wales and listed in Section 42 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC). These of course will be affected by the beach race and can be smothered by the extra wind-blown sand. Part of the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to important overwintering bird species. These are greatly affected by noise and fast-moving objects. The remaining sand dunes provide additional coastal defence, particularly regarding helping prevent coastal flooding in the face of increasing sea level and storminess. They are also listed as an Annex 1 habitat under the EC Habitats Directive. The list goes on. The City and County of Swansea has a NERC duty to actively enhance and conserve biodiversity. With great plans for the Bay in terms of tourism and recreational activities, an overall Management Plan is being prepared to include conservation of the ecology and biodiversity. This seems laughable now in view of an event of this scale being allowed with no respect to the beach. There are great archaeological and geological treasures here including fish traps, tramlines, submerged forests. Will these be protected??
By all means encourage large events, but... the key is for them to be undertaken in a sustainable manner with least impact on the environment. The only way for this to happen is for mitigation measures and strict guidelines regarding the environment to be built in to the event organiser's contract in the first place, in consultation with all departments. This race is meant to be a pilot event and if this is the case, surely it should be undertaken with the least impact possible. There is of course the issue of how we are going to know if it has been successful. For most people, that will be in the number of spectators or how much money has been brought in to the local economy. Of course, that is not the whole story. The beach will not go back to how it was just by the tide coming in. The birds will not avoid being disturbed just by a little buffer zone. The dunes and their vegetation will not avoid being completely trampled by a few barrier fences. There will be on-going costs in the management of the Bay. Geraint Davies is quite right in his concerns and more people should be voicing theirs. There is a whole lot more to well-run events than the money they generate. Weston-Super-Mare is an entirely different location and set-up, and a very different beach and type of sediment. What's right for them isn't necessarily right for Swansea. On a final note - considering that motor vehicles on the beach are illegal, this race may also encourage off-roaders on the beach long after the event has finished.
There certainly does not seem to have been a clear environmental impact study undertaken prior to agreement for the event being rushed through on a purely economic level, without environmental concerns being considered fully.
I await the aftermath and the final report.”

“Swansea has managed to attract tourists for decades and not for the activities available but for its beauty. The Gower was the first area to be award the Outstanding Natural Beauty award in the UK. I understand this sort of event would bring revenue to the city, however premiership football is providing the revenue without the significant environmental impact. If as it is suggested this event will "become biggest in europe if not world being covered by SKY SPORTS" then we really have something to be concerned about. The peat from ancient forests beneath the sand cannot be replaced, the marine life that will be affect will not regenterate, and the main reason tourists have been attracted to Swansea will be obliterated for fast paced, adrenaline sports....Can't people be proud of their natural habitat and be grateful we have tourism on the increase due to football?”

“"Reading through some extremely accessible articles via the internet on last years beach race in Weston, the event was watched by nearly a hundred thousand spectators, and has done so for over a decade. If you also take a look at the pictures you will see that this really is a special event. We are lucky enough to have a Premier League football team bringing in well needed revenue to the City every other week from away spectators, as well as bringing the much needed pulicity. We also have an incredible Air Show which is watched by thousands. I believe it's time for counsellors and shadow counsellors to realise that Swansea is in a very unique position, unlike anywhere else in the UK, and should grab the tourism bull by it's horns, while we can. The eye's of the world are pointing at our City for the first time in decades because of the success of our beloved Swans. Sporting events such as the beach race will be covered by Sky Sports, and as already stated, will attract some of the top riders from Europe, along with their supporters. I believe it would be a foolish decision to turn this fantastic opportunity down for our City. Infact, we should be fighting tooth and nail to bring in every viable sporting, cultural and musical event possible to our City. It's time to move out of the shadow of Cardiff, and time to show the rest of the Uk and hopefully wider, what our City and Coast has to offer. With extra events being staged here, bringing in extra revenue, that experience can only go one way, and that is up".”

“by s.holmes

I am an ex-professional motocross rider swansea born and bread well done swansea council brilliant move bringing beach race to swansea this event will become biggest in europe if not world being covered by SKY SPORTS.What a boost for city first premier league football and now this wat a year!!!

GERIANT DAVIES needs to lighten up and stop trying to make a name for himself.MR DAVIES this city and its traders need this EVENT and the public will enjoy it.

Cant wait been retired for 19 years and i shall be taking part yeeeeehaaaaaaa!!!!!”

“Geraint Davies appears to be a publicity seeking politician who likes to see his own name in the limelight.
This event is a coup for the City and should go ahead, as for the parking problems, nearby you have the Recreation Ground and the bottom of Singleton Park, which is frequently used for other events. That is without the Park and Ride sites throughout the City.
The objectors are looking for any excuse to prevent it.
GO FOR IT SWANSEA'”