MONMOUTHSHIRE residents have been warned by their county council that some of them will be disrupted again when it plays its part in hosting a controversial cycle race next year.

The second Velothon race will pass through Monmouthshire, Newport, Caerphilly and Torfaen after it starts and finishes in Cardiff on May 22. The first was held on June 14.

At a council meeting in Usk on Thursday, members gave their support to the event passing through the county. It will be coordinated by Welsh company, Run 4 Wales, which runs the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The authority’s deputy leader Cllr Bob Greenland said: “This is a huge opportunity for Monmouthshire and it should not be viewed in the negative way that was perhaps inevitable from last year’s performance.

“There will be issues and we will try to deal with those issues for businesses and individuals so that they are not inconvenienced too much."

He added: “There will be problems on the day but the main message from this is this is an opportunity to put Monmouthshire forward.”

But cabinet member Cllr Bryan Jones said he was opposed to the plan because the disruption it will cause.

He told the meeting: “It’s sad to do this as a cabinet member – it’s not usual I go against the party line, but I cannot support it simply because of the effect that it has on people in Nant-y-derry and in the part of Llanover that is in my ward will be confined to their homes all day.

“If you had to go to work all day and someone tells you you’ll be prevented from leaving your home to see friends or see family for lunch it would hack you off, I think.”

According to the Velothon’s website, organisers hope 18,000 riders will take part, up from 13,000 in June. That was the third largest cycling participation event throughout the UK over this year.

Some councillors and Monmouth MP David Davies criticised organisers for perceived poor planning and the event’s impact on residents and businesses when the first one.

Mr Davies said businesses who were left out of pocket because of road closures to stage the race should have been compensated - but the Welsh Government, who part organise it, said that was impossible.

And Cllr Roger Harris said people who will be affected along Monmouthshire’s rural roads should plan ahead for disruption.

“It’s not rocket science,” he said.