Chelmsford hoping to be back at end of March after storm damage

Chelmsford is hopeful of being able to resume racing on March 31 after losing four meetings because of damaged floodlights caused by Storm Eunice last month.

The Essex track initially lost evening fixtures on February 26 and March 3 but was then forced to add this Saturday's meeting (March 12) and next Thursday (March 17) to the list after lengthy repairs were needed to a number of lighting columns.

The BHA will stage a replacement fixture at Kempton for Saturday's fixture while next Thursday's meeting has been switched to Wolverhampton.

Chelmsford is not scheduled to race again until March 31 and hopes to have the site safe to welcome the public back by then.

Andy Waitt, clerk of the course at Chelmsford, said: "Three of our lighting columns took a hit from Storm Eunice and we're in the process of having them checked out by the American company that looks after them.

"It's a health and safety issue. They're down at the moment and the engineers are coming back to do some more work in the next week or so."

Andy Waitt: “The engineers would have to manufacture replacement parts if they need any for the lights'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Chelmsford is one of the most exposed racecourses in the country and gives little shelter from the wind at any time of year.

Waitt added: "We've lost four meetings now as we've already called off Saturday's meeting and the one the following Thursday, and we're looking to be back for our next scheduled meeting on March 31."

The Chelmsford floodlights, shaped like champagne flutes, are an unusual design, which has made fixing them more challenging.

Waitt said: "The engineers would have to manufacture replacement parts if they need any for the lights, but they are doing ongoing investigations and hopefully it will be resolved before our next meeting in three weeks' time."

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