Is there demand for a viewing area?

Moderator Location : In a layby

Gents, this afternoon I had a meeting with the local council and they have asked me to gauge interest in a possible Brize viewing area. This is in the VERY early stages, however I need as many of the locals (and not so locals) to show their support just so they can see there is a demand. The provisional plan is for plenty of parking with toilets and possible catering/food wagon.

Any idea's and sensible suggestions welcome aswell, as I can bring these up in the next meeting Cheers

Location : Oxfordshire

Well, I sincerely hope that this becomes a VERY long thread full of 'yes' replies and a few suitable suggestions Clap

Location : wiltshire Spotter Watch Member : no

Would be absaloutly great if this is done, will make it alot easier to park and view, it's gonna start getting busy soon!

Location : northolt Spotter Watch Member : no

yup gets my vote Thumbs Up

Location : Newbury berkshire

Gets my vote and my grandads Thumbs Up

Location : Didcot,Oxon Spotter Watch Member : No

Deffo gets my vote mate...and I'm sure I can speak for all of the members of Oxfordshire Aviation Group as well

Let me know if you need any "names on paper" to support your efforts

Colin

Location : Oxfordshire Spotter Watch Member : no

A Defo Yes From Me!

Location : yeovil Spotter Watch Member : no

Aslong as its with the sun and not against it like mildy of old and LN now Smile

I guess you could park walk though if it was against the sun so a benefit all round.

Location : Bristol Spotter Watch Member : No

Yes please :)

But where would it be?....and will there be a bus shuttle from Brize Norton bus stop Angel

.mic

Location : Carterton Spotter Watch Member : no

A viewing area at Brize I think is long overdue, if Lakenheath can have one surely we can.!

Not only is it a good idea but a safe one too, as we would no longer have cars/people all

over the place...!

Lunch truck.?..Bonus.!

Subject: Re: Is there demand for a viewing area? 2009-08-27, 12:42

You have my support.
Thoughts.
Will it have unrestricted views Graham? If its to have a high fence to keep us out can we have a raised platform or Mound for
those without ladders to be able to photograph without obstruction.

Rich

Location : Witney Spotter Watch Member : no

Yes - what an excellent idea Graham. Good that you (on behalf of FC and obviously with a personal interest also) are involved at this stage. The overall interest and support from aviation based forums and local aviation societies (and even the local farmer, MOD and Thames Valley Police should support it ! ) ought to have some considerable impact on those who will be involved in making this all happen - the RAF, the local town council, WODC and the County Council

The existing contractors storage site / concrete works just north of the 26 threshold would seem to be an ideal site - plenty of space,
hardstanding, fence and gates in situ, also on an acceptable safe entry/exit to the road. Once the FSTA work has been completed this should be an unused area, ideal for what you have outlined.

It's only a short walk from there up to the south side of the 26 threshold - there seems little point in lobbying for anything at the 26 (south) gate area as the road access by the contractors gate is positively dangerous and would, I'm certain, get rejected by the appropriate traffic and safety authorities.

As you say, it's the early stage of the melting pot. Let's try and get the basics underway and approved and work forwards from there.

Subject: Re: Is there demand for a viewing area? 2009-08-27, 12:49

I've never been to Brize, but it sounds like a good idea to have a dedicated viewing area - hopefully with a good view !!
Particularly as it would possibly be more suitable to take the kids along without dragging them across fields etc.
There's more chance of me justifying a day out watching A/C to my wife if its a "family trip" Whistle

Gets my vote Thumbs Up

Cheers,
phil

Moderator Location : In a layby

Thanks to everyone for the support. As Brian has said the proposed site is the constructers entrance which as I mentioned in the meeting today is facing in to the sun. However, a 2 minute walk to the other side of the runway and the problem is solved. The biggest problem at Brize is lack of parking without blocking a crash gate.

At this stage, the council are more interested in if there is a demand, they have not approached the base as yet.

like I say its early days, but keep the support coming Cheers

Mic.....cant really help with the bus routes Laughing

Rich - not sure about the unobstructed viewing, will bear that in mind Cheers

Location : Bristol Spotter Watch Member : No

Sounds good... Clap

My only concern was that if it was over the other side I wouldn't use it due to lack of a bus....but if it's at the 26 end it's within walking distance of Brize village Smile

....would probably still go to the other side of the approach though as car parking doesn't affect me....

.mic

Moderator Location : In a layby

Mictheslik wrote:: would probably still go to the other side of the approach though as car parking doesn't affect me....

But im sure toilets and possible food wagon would be welcome? Laughing

Location : Bristol Spotter Watch Member : No

pikey01 wrote:

Mictheslik wrote:: would probably still go to the other side of the approach though as car parking doesn't affect me....

But im sure toilets and possible food wagon would be welcome? Laughing

Would certainly get the exercise running back from the food wagon as something turns onto the approach :P

.mic

Location : Oxford

Being one of the Brize "locals" i think this is something that we all agree is long overdue and considering how busy Brize is set to become after Lyneham closes there really will be a need for a safe parking and view area.

As Brian has said the current construction site would be an ideal location and with the ground pretty much ready there would be not be that much work to turn it in to something similar to the WAVE at Waddington which even has a small shop and cafe...we could have a BAVE at Brize Big Grin

As for viewing, well it only takes a minute to walk over to the 26 crash gate and you have the sun (when it shines at Brize!) behind you. And anyway, those who just turn up to watch the aircraft coming in, i think you still get a decent view from the proposed site.

I really hope that this gets the go-ahead as it will help stop the crazy parking that currently goes on and may help stop the arguements that some folk insist on having with the farmer who owns the field at the 26 threshold.

Good luck with it Graham if you need any of us locals to attend meetings in the future to support this then you got me to back you up Smile

Location : Squire of the Gate

Definatly a great idea and one that would be long overdue.
Nothing worse thatn travelling all the way down to Brize wondering about where to park etc.

Would be a good point for the general public to watch the comings and goings (if not family members of Forces staff returning from duty).

Amazed more bases don't use this as a cheap PR exercise and actually use viewing areas as a showcase of what they do well, my 4 year old would probably switch from wanting to be a 'Red Arrow Pilot' to a 'C17 Pilot' if he actually got to see the C17's up close and in a safe area.

Location : Fairford

This would be fantastic if this got the go ahead. Like Mark and others have said, it would stop the parking madness that sometimes occurs. Well done Graham for getting the ball rolling on this. Let's hope it does get the go ahead!

Location : Banbury,Oxfordshire Spotter Watch Member : no

Most def!!! will sure to be a big debait among spotters as to location etc.next to the current unoff viewing area is a large grass area thats never used,road acess already in place and would only need some slight changes to make it useable.also there many pos and negs for the other side where the contractors yard is at mo.Sure it could be funded with a small cost,donation to an raf charity etc and may sway the argument in our favour. But heh at the end of the day just the fact that the meetings taking place is a huge start.!!! all the best. chris.

Subject: Re: Is there demand for a viewing area? 2009-08-27, 14:48

Hi Graham. Yes, this is a great idea and long overdue and I'm glad to see that you are involved in this proposal with the council. It should satisfy all concerned; the RAF get good PR; the police don't have to worry about road safety so much and we, the enthusiasts, have somewhere safe to park and view.

Go for it, Graham.

Mick F.

Subject: Re: Is there demand for a viewing area? 2009-08-27, 14:51

Got to be a massive yes on this one Graham

Location : Hertfordshire Spotter Watch Member : No

I'm an infrequent visitor to Brize these days, but every time I have been, it's proved a bit of a pain finding somewhere safe to park and see the action.

A dedicated and civilised parking/viewing area seems a win/win for the RAF/Spotters at any busy base. Whatever angle you look at it - security, safety, PR, minimum disruption to local traffic, rubbish bins, toilets, catering, it looks good. I'm not a photographer, so sun angles mean less to me that you guys, but I guess if that can be accomodated too, so much the better.

A busier Brize and somehwere to park when you get there? Well, I would be there more often.

A long way of saying "Yes!"

hertsman

Location : Brize Norton

Its about time there was one, while your talking about it how about a concrete path on the airfield side of the Brize - Bampton road.

Some days its like driving in a Welsh rally trying to dodge the people down there, its only a matter of time before someone gets airbourne off of a car bonnet.

Neil