Battersea Park has been confirmed as the location of the London ePrix for the next two seasons after Wandsworth Council voted through the continuation of the event last night.
A committee meeting was held last night after local residents were critical on the hosting of the race in the London park, which had put the event under threat despite the relatively successful running in the sports first season.
With a protest taking place outside the Town Hall even before the hearing had started, a number of objections from local residents were cited as to why the event shouldn’t take place. This included the size of the park, the ‘exaggerated’ attendance numbers suggesting only 5000 people attended per day, that Formula E isn’t a truly green sport, it didn’t meet health and safety requirements and the disappointing drop in trade for local businesses.
Despite the opposition from the residents, the council voted through the race, seven votes to four on a couple of conditions. These include the removal of the helicopter taking overhead shots and an improvement in safety.
An alternative location at the Excel Centre in East London had already been proposed if the council had rejected the race, due to be held on the 2nd and 3rd July.
