Parliamentary questions tabled

Shadow Defence Minister James Gray is leading the crusade to keep RAF Lyneham open.

The base has been at the centre of numerous war efforts for more than 60 years. Its role is being reviewed by the Ministry of Defence.

Lyneham is one of the Royal Sir Force's biggest and busiest air bases, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

It has four squadrons 24, 30, 47 and LXX and each has more than 20 crews.

Its future is uncertain following an announcement that a review will look into where is the most cost effective place to base the new A400M aircraft.

Mr Gray is now forming an action plan and his first step is to meet Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces Minister.

"This is the biggest single threat to my constituency and I will be constantly speaking to civil servants and ministers at every chance. We can win this," said Mr Gray.

Action will also include a public meeting, a call for a special debate in the House of Commons, a meeting with Tory MP David Cameron, whose Witney constituency takes in Brize Norton and one with Lyneham Station Commander Steve Duffill.

Mr Gray also wants to encourage formation of a local committee which could respond to the inquiry. "We need to look at the military and local implications of what has been suggested. There are hundreds of people employed at the base and hundreds of families who could be affected. We must act now," said Mr Gray.

The MoD study will work out the feasibility of keeping RAF Lyneham, Brize Norton and St Mawgan in Cornwall open, with the imminent arrival of a fleet of new A400M transport aircraft in 2008.

In a letter to Mr Gray last week, Armed Forces Minister Mr Ingram said: "This study will examine the most cost-effective location for the Air Transport Fleet. The study is part of the MoD's planning process and I must emphasise that no decision about the future roles of the stations has yet been made."

The study is expected to take several months and the first findings will be available by next summer.

"This first decision is a key decision. We must make sure the Minister knows what the people are saying," said Mr Gray.

He has tabled a dozen questions this week and wants an answer as soon as possible.

Mr Gray wants to know about civilian staff numbers, use of married quarters at both Lyneham and Brize Norton, the number of vacant rooms and aircraft hangers. He said he was pushing the Minister to make a statement as soon as possible.

Wiltshire County Council leader Peter Chalke said he was sure every county councillor would put his or her weight behind Mr Gray's campaign. He was keen to meet with Mr Ingram.

The council will embark on a major impact report which will be studied by the new Cabinet at its December meeting.

"There are so many aspects to this enormous announcement," said Coun Chalke. "Lyneham is important to the county and its closure would have a massive impact. We as a county council will be backing James Gray in whatever way we can.

"This is a very serious matter and one which we will give a lot of time to."

Lyneham and Bradenstoke Parish Council have yet to receive an official letter from the MoD.

Coun Sam Wright, who was in the RAF for 22 years and based at Lyneham since 1972, said he found it disgraceful that the parish council had not been officially informed.

"We even have an invited representative from the base on the parish council he must have known before last week, I cannot believe otherwise. There were rumours about closure flying around at the beginning of the year. I am furious and will certainly be saying something about the way the parish council has been treated just like dirt. We are always the last to know and we should be the first," said Coun Wright.

The parish council is expected to discuss the announcement at its next meeting on December 11.

Veterans speak out for air base

THE news that Lyneham air base could close has rocked the surrounding community and those who were stationed there many years ago.

The Lyneham Old Boys' Association was formed three years ago and its members are reeling in shock after last week's announcement.

Len Moore of Stonelea Close, Chippenham, was a chief technician for the Line Servicing Squadron at the base in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

He said the news had made him feel very uptight and he has already written a letter to North Wiltshire MP James Gray, who is championing the campaign against closure.

Mr Moore said the issues had not been thought through at all and there were many reasons why the move would be a disaster.

"The airfield is convenient for the Army at Warminster - Brize Norton is a further 34 miles north," he said.

"The base also provides many ex-servicemen living in the area with jobs and if the planes are moved it could mean a 70-mile round trip for many.

"If they close Lyneham the air force will be extinct in the county and that is tragic," Mr Moore added.

Through the association Mr Moore keeps in regular contact with other men who were based at Lyneham.

Gerry Tripp, 66, of Audley Avenue, Chippenham, was also a chief technician. He was stationed at Lyneham for three years during the 1950s and then again in the 1970s.

"It will be such a shame and I personally hope the base doesn't close," said Mr Tripp.

His concerns also focused on the local community and the many people connected to the base. "It will have a very big impact on everyone and it will be a very sad day for many thousands if it does close," said Mr Tripp.

Many stories the former servicemen tell from the 1950s are of camaraderie and companionship and many hours of hard work.

David Wintle, 73, of Bristol is branch secretary of the Bristol branch of the Old Boys' Association and was a radio operator at the base between 1946 and 1948. He said he had been totally shocked when he had heard the news about the threat to the base and feared that by putting all the planes on one site would create a huge security risk.

The association wants to encourage all members to write with their concerns to Defence Minister Adam Ingram.

Mr Moore is co-ordinating a leaflet drop through the Old Boys' Association magazine. "These people need to know what the effect will be on the community," he said.