Soapbox derby organiser's fears over potholes

A soapbox racing event could be cancelled unless road repairs are carried out on potholes, the organiser has said.

The Welton Soapbox Derby, which takes place in Welton, near Daventry, Northamptonshire, is usually held in July and was scheduled to return this year after a five-year hiatus.

It has also attracted the attention of the self-styled Daventry Banksie, who has put up signs urging West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to "Save our Soapbox".

The authority said it had planned work in the area which was expected to be completed before the 10 July race.

Organiser Chris Barlow said the course was currently too dangerous for participants, adding: "As it stands we can't run the event without some sort of intervention.

"We need the council to take control and take responsibility to put the repairs into place to put this straight."

The event features teams racing homemade soapboxes down a steep 500m (1,640ft) course, with carts capable of reaching up to 38mph (61km/h).

Mr Barlow said the community would be "mortified" by a cancellation.

Seven signs from the Daventry Banksie have also appeared in recent weeks in the village.

The anonymous protester told the BBC she felt she "had to help".

She added: "The whole of Daventry would feel upset. It would be another slap in the face from WNC."

The council said it understood "people's frustrations" and was prioritising "essential work first".

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