North West 200: Council's £275,000 funding gets go ahead

The North West 200, set to go ahead on 7-13 May, is a big part of the sporting calendar in Northern Ireland

Next year's North West 200 is to go ahead after a council backed a proposal to increase financial support for the motorcycle races.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council had agreed to contribute an estimated £275,000 towards the event.

It includes grant funding, office accommodation and costs of building the course.

But the decision was put on hold several weeks ago following a request from at least 13 councillors.

The proposed support deal and legal opinion on the concerns raised was heard again in a closed council meeting on Tuesday night, and a majority of councillors voted to continue with the plan to increase its contributions.

Concerns raised

The Coleraine and District Motor Club, which organises the North West 200, welcomed the decision, saying it could now proceed with planning next year's week of races, from 7 to 13 May.

"That support, which will see the council build the course and supply office accommodation alongside providing financial backing, is vital to secure the event's future," the club said.

Sinn Féin, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and a number of independent councillors asked for legal advice before proceeding with the funding arrangement.

Their concerns included a lack of information about the accounts of the event organiser.

Sinn Féin representatives also questioned the legality of entering a partnership with a limited company.