The annual Hills Ford Stages road rally, once a staple event in Ledbury, Herefordshire, has been cancelled due to numerous local objections and environmental concerns. Organisers Cheltenham Motor Club had planned to host the rally in September but withdrew in July after significant delays from Herefordshire Council over road closure and motor race order approvals.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed 26 specific issues raised by residents that needed resolution before permission could be granted. These ranged from the lack of clear information about the rally route, road closures, and vehicle numbers to worries about noise pollution and general disturbances.
Public health concerns emerged due to insufficient welfare facilities, alongside fears that the event could damage roads and negatively impact local businesses. Agricultural concerns were also prominent, with restrictions on farm access potentially affecting animal welfare. Additionally, residents feared aggressive or copycat driving outside the event itself, which could compromise safety.
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The rally’s timing also conflicted with the local h-Art community art event, further complicating scheduling. Environmental scrutiny revealed that organisers had not completed an environmental impact assessment or considered carbon offsetting, raising alarm among council officials.
Consultations with landscape bodies, including Wye Valley and Malvern Hills, pointed to possible damage to nearby nature reserves and protected sites such as Broadmoor Common and Haugh Wood—areas managed by the council, National Trust, and Forestry England. There were also concerns about the protection of roadside verges.
Herefordshire Council demanded confirmation that all landowners along the route and at spectator points had granted permission for use of their property. They also required a comprehensive list of any off-highway sites linked to the event to evaluate risks to environmentally sensitive areas.
Following the decision to cancel, organisers announced in September that the rally would move to Shropshire next year. Shropshire Council has been described as “hugely supportive,” with promises of “more challenging stages, enhanced logistics, and expanded community programmes.”
Event organisers have yet to comment further on the cancellation or the relocation plans.