The Red Arrows flying over their home city. | Photo: Mike Ling
Once RAF Scampton is closed, the Red Arrows will move to RAF Waddington, south of Lincoln.
The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that the Red Arrows will continue to practice above the city and Scampton, since their new planned headquarters will only be 10 miles away from their current home.
No exact date for the closure of the base at Scampton has been confirmed yet, but the initial plan was for it to be shut by 2022.
Now the MoD has said it will look at ways of preserving the aviation heritage of the base north of the city after its closure.
During the Second World War, RAF Scampton was home to 617 Squadron which famously took part in the Dambusters raids in 1943.
Last year the MoD said three locations were shortlisted as potential new bases for the team. RAF Waddington was one of them, as well as RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and RAF Wittering near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
RAF Waddington turned out to be the obvious choice, besides its close proximity, with multiple intelligence and drone operations controlled from the base.
Photo: Amy Airwolfhound
Air Vice-Marshal Warren James said: “The announcement of this move will provide much needed stability for their future endeavours.
“I am delighted that we now have confirmation that the Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team, the Red Arrows, will remain in the heart of Lincolnshire.
“The Royal Air Force remains committed to the strong links it has with the county and a considerable amount of work has been carried out to secure a suitable future home location.”
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said: “It is good news that we have an excellent base for them at RAF Waddington, and I am delighted that they will be able to continue to practice their extraordinary aerobatic talents above RAF Scampton in their home county of Lincolnshire.”
They also presented an official petition with over 11,000 signatures to the government. Their case was thankfully heard.
Charlotte Goy, Interim CEO at Visit Lincoln, said: “This is really wonderful news and will lift everyone’s spirits during what has been a very difficult time. I’d like to thank everyone who joined our campaign and supported the petition.”
RAF Scampton is currently home to the Red Arrows. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Reactions from Lincolnshire leaders
Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill
Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is fantastic news and I’m glad the MoD recognises how well-loved the Red Arrows are by Lincolnshire residents. We value the contribution of the RAF to Lincolnshire and wish them many more years of success in their home county. Although it’s disappointing they can’t stay at Scampton, we will continue to work with West Lindsey District Council and MP Edward Leigh to ensure there is an appropriate use for that base.”
Conservative’s Karl McCartney was re-elected MP for Lincoln in the General Election 2019. Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney said: “I am delighted to hear that, all being well, the Red Arrows will continue to be based in the Lincoln area. RAF Waddington is of course very busy, but given its proximity to Scampton makes perhaps a better choice than Wittering, and is a choice that was nearly made back when I was elected for the first time back in 2010/11. It will be a pleasure working with government ministers and the MoD to make this move a success, and I look forward to seeing the the Reds flying above our city and around our glorious cathedral for many years to come.”
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh said: “I have fought to keep the RAF’s aerobatic squadron, the Red Arrows, in our skies in Lincolnshire. I am pleased that they will continue to be based in bomber county. I am however saddened that their home at the historic RAF Scampton is to close as an RAF base. I know that both Lincolnshire County and West Lindsey District councils have been working closely with the Ministry of Defence to prepare for various eventualities and I will continue to support this partnership work as the closure of the base progresses.”
WLDC leader Councillor Giles McNeill. Photo: Daniel Jaines
Giles McNeill, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “I am deeply disappointed that the decision has been taken to close RAF Scampton, whilst the Red Arrows, we are told, will continue to practice in our skies, they will not be based here. The impact of the closure of RAF Scampton is a significant disruption to the local economy and I fully expect West Lindsey District Council to play its part in building a bright future for the base beyond its closure. I would expect partnership working to continue with the Ministry of Defence and Lincolnshire County Council; but also increased participation from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and local stakeholders and residents.”
County Councillor Richard Butroid, for the Gainsborough Rural South division, which includes RAF Scampton, added: “It’s disappointing that they are moving from RAF Scampton, it is good news that they will continue to remain based in the county and we’ll continue to see them in our skies.”
West Lindsey District Councillor Roger Patterson, for the Scampton Ward, commented: “I am really sorry that RAF Scampton is scheduled for closure. It is an historic airbase and its closure will have a substantial impact locally.”
North Kesteven District Council leader Richard Wright. Photo: Steve Smailes/The Lincolnite
Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, said: “I’m very pleased that the Red Arrows will be remaining in Lincolnshire. They are a much loved and appreciated part of the long aviation history of this county and it is to the benefit of the wider county that they will continue to be a part of it. I am also very happy to welcome them back to North Kesteven, as they were previously based at RAF Cranwell for a period, around 20 years ago.
“Moving to RAF Waddington will ensure their continued presence in the skies over Lincoln and Lincolnshire, and as well as extending our proud association with the RAF Aerobatic Team and extending our unrivalled legacy of aviation heritage, having the Reds based in North Kesteven will bring a welcome boost to the local economy and a community feel-good factor.”
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The new roundabout at the A46 Dunholme and Welton junction is nearly ready, and will be fully open next month.
The project began in July and, subject to weather, will be complete and fully open to the public by the end of May.
As well as the roundabout, Horncastle Lane and northbound Lincoln Road will also reopen during the week commencing April 19.
Final preparation works will mean that five nights of road closures are needed to lay the final layer of road surfacing on the A46 between Deepdale Lane, Nettleham to Lincoln Road, Dunholme.
The closures will take place overnight between 7pm and 6am, starting from Tuesday, May 4.
The A46 will be closed from Deepdale Lane, Nettleham to Lincoln Road, Dunholme, with a diversion route via the A46 Nettleham roundabout / A15 Riseholme roundabout / A15-A1500 Showground roundabout / A15-A631 roundabout at Caenby Corner / either the A631 or A1103 back to the A46, and vice versa.
The diversion route for the A46’s closure at Deepdale Lane. | Photo: LCC
Lincoln Road, Welton will close from its junction with Honeyholes Lane to the new roundabout, with a diversion via Honeyholes Lane / right onto Ryland Road / right onto Lincoln Road Dunholme, which joins the main closure diversion on the A46 towards Lincoln.
The diversion route for Lincoln Road, Welton. | Photo: LCC
Finally, Horncastle Lane will be closed from the A15 to the A46, with access at the A15 end. The diversion route will be via the A15-A1500 Showground roundabout / A15 Riseholme roundabout / A46 Nettleham roundabout, and vice versa.
The diversion route for Horncastle Lane. | Photo: LCC
During these closures, Heath Lane to Scothern will remain closed, with a right-turn ban and 24/7 temporary traffic lights on the A46 until the end of the project.
The full A46 Dunholme / Welton roundabout project has been part-funded by the £2 million allocated to Lincolnshire County Council by the Department of Transport.
The remaining funding has come from a combination of the council themselves and third party contributions.
An “isolated” man downloaded thousands of indecent images of children, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Friday.
Nigel Deacon was caught after police received information and raided his home at Cranwell in July 2019.
Edna Leonard, prosecuting, said images had been downloaded onto laptops and two USB sticks which were later examined by officers.
The investigation revealed that Deacon had been downloading illegal images of children aged between nine and 15 years old.
Over 32,000 indecent images of children were found on the devices the vast majority of which were in the least serious category.
Seven images, including three videos, were in the most serious category.
Miss Leonard said: “The defendant was arrested and interviewed and made admissions.”
Deacon, 59, of North Road, Cranwell, admitted three charges of making indecent images of children.
He also admitted possession of 198 prohibited images of children and possession of 124 extreme pornographic images.
Leanne Summers, in mitigation, said Deacon had no previous convictions and has sought help following his arrest.
She told the court: “He isn’t able to explain his offending. He describes it as totally irrational thinking at a time when he says he was running away from reality.
“He has for many years lived an isolated life. He has been in what he calls a very dark place.”
Miss Summers said that Deacon’s business was on the point of collapse as he lost customers when details of his offences became known.
Deacon was given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Roman Bank, one of Skegness’ busiest roads, will temporarily pause roadworks and reopen to the public for four months this summer.
The project began in September 2020 and was scheduled to take eight months, with the road being closed throughout to repair and replace worn out carriageways and footpaths.
Lincolnshire County Council has now confirmed that construction will be halted for four months in May, allowing for locals to move freely around Skegness as lockdown eases further.
Traffic management is expected to be removed by Wednesday, May 26, meaning residents will be free to use the area over the summer.
The project will then resume on Monday, September 20, before completing road and footway improvements from Muirfield Drive up to the junction with North Shore Road by spring 2022.
Before the reopening, work will take place to rebuild the Roman Bank section north of Muirfield Drive to Fenland Laundry, excavating 500 tonnes of old road in the process.
The project has seen one of Skegness’ busiest roads closed for some time.
As well as this, a road closure will be in place between Asda and Brancaster Drive for seven days, starting on Monday, May 17.
The diversion route for this will be via the A52/C541/A158 at the Gunby dual carriageway, and vice versa.
The road’s rebuild hasn’t been without its setbacks, with the council blaming Cadent Gas, suppliers of the gas pipes for the project, for delaying the project in March by asking to move one of the pipes.
Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways at LCC, said the date allows for businesses to trade easier and locals to utilise the town more.
She said: “This was the best of all the options we looked at since it means businesses can trade and take deliveries freely throughout summer, while residents and visitors can get around town and park without having to worry about road works.
“Once the school holidays are over in September, we’ll head back to town with Cadent so they can finish diverting the gas main between Muirfield Drive and Brancaster Drive ahead of us completing our road and footway improvements from Muirfield Drive up to the junction with North Shore Road in spring 2022.”
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