May 19, 2020 11.09 am This story is over 46 months old

Jubilation as Red Arrows set to stay in Lincolnshire

Great news for Lincolnshire

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire is in celebration! Red, white and blue smoke will remain in the county’s skies when the The Royal Air Force Red Arrows move to RAF Waddington.

The Red Arrows will make the move once their current base at RAF Scampton is closed. The airspace over RAF Scampton will be retained for the team’s training and display practice.

An assessment study will examine and cost the options before developing a business case for the eventual move.

No exact date for the closure of the current base has been confirmed yet, but the relocation will take place before RAF Scampton closes in late 2022.

RAF Waddington had been shortlisted alongside RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and RAF Wittering near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, with the Lincolnshire base coming out on top.

The case was also helped by an official petition to the government which gained over 11,000 signatures.

Whilst some were still disappointed that RAF Scampton will be shutting, The Lincolnite readers were filled with a sense of relief and delight that the Red Arrows will be staying in the county.

RAF Scampton is currently home to the Red Arrows. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Your reaction

Simon Parker said: “Fantastic news, keeping them where they belong. They are the pride of Lincolnshire.”

Sian Louise Gostick said: “Whooooo, I’m so pleased. This is their home, nowhere else.”

Shaun Maxwell said: “I’m not pleased they’re leaving Scampton, but I am happy it’s Waddo. Still close to Lincoln is the best result.”

Paul Haley said: “Great news. The local skies would have been strange without them.”

Victoria Whitfield said: “Excellent. I was pleased to hear this and that they will still practice over where I live. Watched them whilst exercising with the kids at school yesterday (Monday) morning and it brought a smile to everyone’s face, especially when they practised the heart.”

Photo: Amy Airwolfhound

Will Hart said: “Great news. Well done to everyone involved in ensuring our Red Arrows stay in Lincolnshire.”

Tracey Bancroft said: “That’s fantastic news, so happy the Reds are staying in Lincolnshire. I’ve grown up with them, I love them and am so proud.”

Councillor Christine Talbot, who has represented Waddington for 23 years, added that she was “absolutely delighted” by the “great news for Lincolnshire”.