MONMOUTHSHIRE council have approved to provisionally support next year's Velothon despite county councillors expressing concerns about the future of the event.

Several members of the council voiced their disdain for several aspects of this year’s event, notably road closures and a lack of toilet facilities.

Some councillors also referenced the lack of financial information in the submitted report such as the direct costs to the council.

Despite the heated debate, a vote was passed to support the Velothon 2017 subject to further discussions with organisers Run4Wales.

But Labour councillor Kevin Williams claimed that he was told a 'pack of lies' after race marshals were recruited from outside the area instead of locally.

He was also critical of Velothon chief Nigel Russell following his appearance at a public meeting in Llanfoist prior to the event in May.

“Basically everybody in that meeting that had a complaint or a viewpoint was pushed off by Nigel Russell,” said Cllr Williams.

“They left that meeting completely frustrated and fed up because he didn’t listen to a single thing that they said.

"I have to say I don't like Run4Wales and I don't trust Run4Wales."

Area Cllr Martin Hickman was in agreement, calling Run4Wales' presentations like 'dictations'.

Road closures were also brought up by Cllr Hickman, who claimed that some of his constituents were cut off for up to 10 hours.

Cllr Graham Down, meanwhile, questioned the marketability of the Velothon.

He said: “As far as I could see, on BBC or ITV, there was absolutely no TV coverage whatsoever of the race in Monmouthshire.

“It’s a Cardiff event – it starts and finished in Cardiff and we get absolutely nothing out of it.”

But council leader Peter Fox urged his fellow members to support the event.

He added: “It’s had its problems, it will get better and we will be able to iron this out.

“We have to hold them to account on this but let’s not stop something which is so popular.”

After a short recess, it was proposed that council provisionally support Velothon 2017 subject to Run4Wales meeting the concerns of members.

A Run 4 Wales spokesman commented: “Following a review of Velothon Wales 2015, Run 4 Wales acted upon a recommendation to employ more local stewards to improve traffic management around the event.

“Newport-based MJ Events were employed as primary events support company, with six further companies, all from South Wales, employed as sub-contractors.

“Velothon Wales head of delivery Nigel Russell also attended community meetings in Newport, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly and Torfaen, as well as holding briefings with councillors from all local authorities involved in the route to answer residents’ questions about the event.

“Run 4 Wales is committed to reducing the impact of Velothon Wales on local residents where possible and a full debrief was held with all parties involved in the staging of the 2016 event, so further improvements can be made to any future events.”