Make It Marham petition

[Pete Raven 276]

www.edp24.co.uk/home/make-it-marhamThe Government''s Strategic Defence and Security Review is likely to lead

to the number of RAF Tornado bases reducing from two to one, with the

likely closure of either RAF Marham in Norfolk or RAF Lossiemouth in

Moray, Scotland.

RAF Marham employs around 5000 staff, with family members making a

community of around 8000. Their incomes, combined with the purchase of

goods and services from local businesses, contribute in excess of £130

million to the local economy.

The base is the last remaining RAF station in Norfolk and is vital to the economies of Norfolk and northern East Anglia.

In 2008, Norfolk lost RAF Coltishall and RAF Neatishead. It is still

recovering from the impact of those closures. Two further regional

bases (RAF Wittering and RAF Cottesmore) will close next year when the

Harrier is taken out of service.

Losing RAF Marham would have a catastrophic impact on the local economy

and businesses supplying the base, local shops, leisure facilities and

public services would inevitably suffer.

Aside from the economic merits, retaining RAF Marham makes military sense.

It has had more investment in new infrastructure, especially the ‘depth

maintenance’ facilities provided by BAE Systems and Rolls Royce to test

aircraft wings.

The estimated costs to BAE in replicating or removing these functions to

Lossiemouth are at least £50m; possibly more, as the hangars at

Lossiemouth are unable to accommodate the specialist layout at Marham.

Flights from Marham to the UK''s Forward Operating Base in Cyprus can

also be completed without the need for refuelling, unlike those from

Lossiemouth.

Norfolk County Council, the Borough Council of King''s Lynn and West

Norfolk, Breckland Council, Norfolk MPs, businesses, local media and

other public bodies have come together to press Marham''s case to the

Government.

Please sign this petition to help demonstrate the strength of feeling for saving RAF Marham.

[William Darby 0]

[quote user="Sports Desk Pete"]www.edp24.co.uk/home/make-it-marhamThe Government''s Strategic Defence and Security Review is likely to lead

to the number of RAF Tornado bases reducing from two to one, with the

likely closure of either RAF Marham in Norfolk or RAF Lossiemouth in

Moray, Scotland.

RAF Marham employs around 5000 staff, with family members making a

community of around 8000. Their incomes, combined with the purchase of

goods and services from local businesses, contribute in excess of £130

million to the local economy.

The base is the last remaining RAF station in Norfolk and is vital to the economies of Norfolk and northern East Anglia.

In 2008, Norfolk lost RAF Coltishall and RAF Neatishead. It is still

recovering from the impact of those closures. Two further regional

bases (RAF Wittering and RAF Cottesmore) will close next year when the

Harrier is taken out of service.

Losing RAF Marham would have a catastrophic impact on the local economy

and businesses supplying the base, local shops, leisure facilities and

public services would inevitably suffer.

Aside from the economic merits, retaining RAF Marham makes military sense.

It has had more investment in new infrastructure, especially the ‘depth

maintenance’ facilities provided by BAE Systems and Rolls Royce to test

aircraft wings.

The estimated costs to BAE in replicating or removing these functions to

Lossiemouth are at least £50m; possibly more, as the hangars at

Lossiemouth are unable to accommodate the specialist layout at Marham.

Flights from Marham to the UK''s Forward Operating Base in Cyprus can

also be completed without the need for refuelling, unlike those from

Lossiemouth.

Norfolk County Council, the Borough Council of King''s Lynn and West

Norfolk, Breckland Council, Norfolk MPs, businesses, local media and

other public bodies have come together to press Marham''s case to the

Government.

Please sign this petition to help demonstrate the strength of feeling for saving RAF Marham.[/quote]You''ve a better chance bonking Ann Widdecombe than changing this government''s mind.

[SWP = Poor Mans Ruel Fox!! 0]

Have a horrible feeling due to politics we will lose Marham so the scottish base can stay open, but hope as many people sign this petition as possible, it would be a huge loss to the county to lose RAF Marham!

[paul moy 235]

I feel that Marham will survive as the Coalition have little interest in Scotland. Fingers crossed.