June 3, 2019 1.07 pm This story is over 58 months old

Keep the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire: Petition reaches 10k milestone

Lincolnshire loves the Red Arrows

The petition to keep the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire after the planned closure of their home at RAF Scampton has now reached the 10,000 signatures milestone.

This means that the government will now have to respond to the petition organised by Visit Lincoln and The Lincolnite. Sign the petition here.

A Lincolnshire delegation is heading to London on Tuesday to make the case in the House of Lords for the Reds to be retained in their home county for over 30 years. The Lincolnite will be going along and bring you a full report.

The petition has over 10,000 signatures. Click/tap to sign it too.

Lydia Rusling, CEO of Visit Lincoln, said: “Being in the heart of Westminster on Tuesday will highlight Lincolnshire and its connections to the Royal Air Force.

“Whilst the decision to close RAF Scampton is out of our control, we continue to work with businesses and local organisations to ensure we have a compelling case for the successful relocation of the Red Arrows.”

RAF Waddington has been shortlisted by the MoD as one of three possible new homes for the Red Arrows after the planned closure of RAF Scampton by 2022 in a cost-cutting move.

RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and RAF Wittering near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, are the two other possible locations for the Red and Blues.

Photo: Amy Airwolfhound

“Aside from the county’s close historical ties with the Red Arrows, Waddington is the best option both operationally and economically,” said Lincolnshire County Council Leader Martin Hill.

“We offer an ideal training location – not only do we have the available airspace, but we have the high-quality housing and schools needed by the crew and their families.

“Looking at the economic considerations, aviation heritage is a cornerstone of Lincolnshire’s tourism sector and visitors are often drawn by the chance of seeing the Red Arrows in action in the skies above Lincoln.”

You can still sign the petition here.