Hooray for race day, Or how to spend the odd hour going nowhere Options

[lordtup]

Having spent 35 minutes stuck fast in today's ( Saturday ) traffic owing , so I have been reliably informed , to a horse race, I feel I have the right to pose the question

" What single benefit ( apart from that to the local hostelries ) has Newbury Racecourse contributed to the town.

Yes I know everyone will label me a killjoy, but heck it's my posting.

[Strafin]

I would say loads, firstly it is a great venue for all sorts of charity and corporate events. It looks beautiful, rather that than a massive housing estate. They have all sorts going on in the grounds as well, car shows and the like, plus they have racing there every now and then. The traffic is a product of it's success granted, but if the roads around Newbury weren't in such a state, and those that are any good weren't closed it migt be a bit better. I am sure the new Robin Hood layout is helping but can't really be measured due to everything else.

[lordtup]

I would say loads, firstly it is a great venue for all sorts of charity and corporate events. It looks beautiful, rather that than a massive housing estate. They have all sorts going on in the grounds as well, car shows and the like, plus they have racing there every now and then. The traffic is a product of it's success granted, but if the roads around Newbury weren't in such a state, and those that are any good weren't closed it migt be a bit better. I am sure the new Robin Hood layout is helping but can't really be measured due to everything else.

That's one vote for then

[CBW137Y]

Some folk/business who benefit:

Local hotels
Local pubs
Local taxis
Local fuel stations
Local doormen
Cleaning companies
Local first aid providers (The British Red Cross still provide Newbury Racecourse)
TV Coverage - marketing for the town (I had to force myself to type that one )

No matter how clogged up the town gets, there are some very positive benefits.

[Brewmaster]

Having spent 35 minutes stuck fast in today's ( Saturday ) traffic owing , so I have been reliably informed , to a horse race, I feel I have the right to pose the question

" What single benefit ( apart from that to the local hostelries ) has Newbury Racecourse contributed to the town.

If it hadn't been for the Racecourse, we would have had a bypass on the correct and sensible side of the town that would not have destroyed good countryside.

[GMR]

About 1 pm this afternoon I was cycling up Hambridge Road beside the train station and the whiff of perfume was so overpowering. It seems the women – and probably some lovely boys! – have been swimming in it. Dressed up to the nines they are off to a jolly good gee-gee event.

I’ve got my windows wide open as I write this and can hear Simply Red singing. And it cost me nothing.

[Biker1]

If it hadn't been for the Racecourse, we would have had a bypass on the correct and sensible side of the town that would not have destroyed good countryside.

Hear Hear!!

And, as I have said before on this forum, less heavy traffic on the A339 STILL through Newbury.

[Iommi]

I wish they could move to Chieveley, or ban alcohol.

[GMR]

I wish they could move to Chieveley, or ban alcohol.

Or maybe to Hungerford

[Iommi]

Or maybe to Hungerford

Nah, we'd get through-traffic from the east.

[GMR]

Nah, we'd get through-traffic from the east.

What about Reading? That would bypass Newbury totally. If that is too close what about Aberdeen?

[lordtup]

General consensus here then is that we like horse racing but prefer it to be a bit further away from our doorstep.
Wonder how many of the race goers where in a fit state to drive home ( or is this not a relevance ) and how many where actually breathalysed by the local constabulary or are they too beholden to the might of Newbury Racecourse PLC.

[Iommi]

Zactly!

[GMR]

General consensus here then is that we like horse racing but prefer it to be a bit further away from our doorstep.
Wonder how many of the race goers where in a fit state to drive home ( or is this not a relevance ) and how many where actually breathalysed by the local constabulary or are they too beholden to the might of Newbury Racecourse PLC.

Newbury Racecourse if far away for me.

[Guest_Bill1_*]

I’ve got my windows wide open as I write this and can hear Simply Red singing. And it cost me nothing.

Poor sod!

[GMR]

Poor sod!

I wasn't complaining... if I did I would have closed my windows.

[Guest_Bill1_*]

I wasn't complaining... if I did I would have closed my windows.

Oh GMR.......

[GMR]

Oh GMR.......

[Berkshirelad]

The race course is entitled to exist and it is obvious that it gives many people pleasure - hence the huge amount of traffic on race days!

However, I think that they should pay for extra Policing and signage so that traffic disruption can be minimised after all football clubs have to and so does Newbury show.

I also notice that the disruption increased once they strted charging punters for parking - presumably this causes queuing to pay

[GMR]

The race course is entitled to exist and it is obvious that it gives many people pleasure - hence the huge amount of traffic on race days!

However, I think that they should pay for extra Policing and signage so that traffic disruption can be minimised after all football clubs have to and so does Newbury show.

I also notice that the disruption increased once they strted charging punters for parking - presumably this causes queuing to pay

I think most people who get pleasure from it are from outside Newbury. Going my the coach loads of people.