Has the decision to close Lyneham changed?
9th July 2010
Local MP Mr James Gray, who have been campaigning for years to ensure the work horse of the RAF, the C130 Hercules fleet, remains at the North Wiltshire airbase of RAF Lyneham. Since the last Strategic Defence Review of 2003, the Labour Government announced that Lyneham would close by 2012 and all the air transport fleet of the armed forces would be located in a sole runway base at neighbouring RAF Brize Norton by 2010. The decision to place all 'your eggs in one basket' clearly does not make strategic or economic sense and the sums do not add up of making savings too. Lengthy delays and continuing overspends in the programme to introduce the A400M, the aircraft to replace the ageing C130K fleet which has been at Lyneham since November 1969, has raised serious issues and concerns that the A400M is possible not a viable replacement for the Hercules. Lyneham has a working estate that needs minimal expenditure to ensure it remains as a front runner in the demands of the tasks placed on an overstretched armed force.

Mr Gray has said from the beginning he will ensure no stone is unturned and still questions the previous governments rash decisions. Sadly allot of the serving and former personnel who have have experienced a tour at the active Wiltshire base, keep echoing that the decision does not and will not make savings. We hear time and time again that the Lyneham estate is so beneficial and essential for the future strategic use of the armed forces.

MP James Gray raised the issue of the future of RAF Lyneham during Wednesday’s (7th July) Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): The Prime Minister will not be surprised to hear that I intend to continue campaigning to keep the Hercules fleet at RAF Lyneham in my constituency as long as I can. However, if, at the end of the day, it moves to Brize Norton in his constituency, and takes with it the jobs and economic prosperity that go with it, will he at least use all his good offices to ensure that we find some way of bringing jobs and economic prosperity back into the vacated site at Lyneham?

The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend has fought a long and noble campaign on this issue, and has made very strong arguments-I know how strong they are, because every time I get into a Hercules, whether in Afghanistan or elsewhere, the pilots always immediately complain about having to move from his constituency to mine. He makes a good point about economic development, and we will ensure that, if this goes ahead, we will see good, strong economic development in his constituency.

Mr Gray later added: “I was very pleased that the Prime Minister assured my constituents that should the planned closure of RAF Lyneham go ahead, which I continue to vigorously campaign against, the Government would provide the appropriate level of support to ensure Lyneham’s continued economic development.”

Mr Gray also discussed Lyneham with Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff on Wednesday at the UK Defence Forum RAF Breakfast.

Reading between the lines from the Prime Ministers Hansard statement, he indicates there is a future for RAF Lyneham and a reprieve may be on the plates. We have heard repeatedly from previous MoD statements that 'when' Lyneham closes its gates by December 2012 something the RAF representatives have echoed at previous Parish Council meetings and we now clearly see the tone of intent has changed in his statement 'if this goes ahead'