Claims Battersea Park was only partially closed for a few days during this year's Formula E event were "incorrect and misleading" said a campaigner against the race's return.

Jan Littlewood, who lives in Prince of Wales Drive, said that councillor Ravi Govindia, leader of the council, has made factually incorrect claims when he said comparing the event to Heathrow was "false and foolish".

Coun Govindia stood by his claims and said Mr Littlewood "didn't want to accept" what he had told him.

October 9: Community group warns council leader over 'hypocrisy'

September 17: Battersea Park campaigners rev up pressure on Wandsworth Council to stop Formula E race

Speaking to the Wandsworth Guardian at the beginning of the month, Coun Govindia said: "To equate an issue like Heathrow that affects millions of Londoners on a daily basis with a proposal to partially close of one of our many parks and open spaces for a few days once a year is a false and foolish comparison."

But Mr Littlewood claimed that Formula E brought much bigger closures than Coun Govindia implied, with 97 per cent of the park being unusable during the race.

He also raised numerous safety concerns which he came across throughout the set up of the event.

Wandsworth Times:

Mr Littlewood, a member of the Formula E action group, said: "The park was almost entirely closed for the two days of the Formula E event and for two days after.

"Only a small corner in the north east section of the park and the Thames walkway were open.

"Both these areas were lined by fencing and advertising hoardings and were unpleasant to spend time in.

"There was no public toilet available in either of these two areas."

Mr Littlewood also criticised a questionnaire which failed to ask residents for their views on the event in the lead-up, focussing solely on the two days it took place.

Wandsworth Times:

A man with a white stick walking close to a fork-lift truck in Battersea Park during the Formula E set-up

He said: "I feel they are pro Formula E to the point where they are not impartial any more.

"It was actually really dangerous. I saw visually impaired people walking just metres from HGVs.

"My sister is a GP and she walked my nephews around the park to schools because she felt it was so dangerous.

"We just feel that Wandsworth Council is misrepresenting us, when he made that comment, he crossed a democratic line, because they are meant to be representing us to the best of their ability."

Coun Govindia said: "Mr Littlewood asked me a question and I gave him an answer.

"It’s a shame he doesn’t want to accept what I say, and he is of course perfectly entitled to his opinion, but the facts remain the same."

A report by the Friends of Battersea Park after the event accepted that while much of the park was closed off, it was "possible" to walk around the carriageways or find a tranquil spot in the middle of the park. 

The report noted: "In the short term, the lorry movements and equipment needed to set up the event are anything but green.

"In the long term, if electric cars are given a real boost in terms of technological development and popularity there may well be a benefit for fume-filled London streets."

A decision on whether the event will take place next year is due to take place on November 24.

Got a story? Call Rebecca Taylor on 020 8722 6335 or email rebecca.taylor@london.newsquest.co.uk