Avro Vulcan

Final flights will be cancelled if increasingly large crowds risk blocking vital safety routes at Robin Hood
Please do not come to see XH558 take-off and land.

A meeting earlier this week between the Trust, the Emergency Services including the South Yorkshire Police, Doncaster Council and the Airport has made it clear that XH558’s huge popularity could put her final flights at risk.

The clear message from all of them is that unless supporters choose other ways to see her fly, the Trust will be asked to cancel further flying. Correspondence has been received that also makes it clear that the Trust could also be liable for very substantial costs if safety is deemed to be at risk. “The situation we find ourselves in is a tremendous complement to the passion and energy of XH558’s supporters, many of whom have donated time and money to allow her to fly,” says Trust chief executive Dr. Robert Pleming. “As someone who has devoted a significant portion of his life to this aircraft, I fully understand. But I must ask everyone please, do not come to Robin Hood to see her take-off and land. If you do, and the numbers are vast, the police have stated that they may well have no option but to lock down the airport, the financial consequences of which to the Trust would be terminal.”

Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield is an operational international airport that relies on free passenger flow in and out. If there is an incident with an aircraft, emergency services must have fast, uninterrupted access. The police have told us that they have a legal responsibility to ensure that emergency access points are clear of obstructions. Emergency services have pointed out that fire and ambulance access to local homes must be guaranteed.

Steve Gill, director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: "We are extremely proud to have the last flying Vulcan based at Doncaster Sheffield Airport and have worked closely with the team at the VTST around her last flights. "They are providing a number of opportunities for spectators and loyal supporters to see the Vulcan in her last flying tours. These opportunities will be right across the country and have been designed so that they do not cause disruption at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

"As an operational airport our number one priority is our passengers and our relationships with our airline partners. We urge people to listen to the pleas from the Vulcan team and the police and not travel to Doncaster to see the Vulcan but to maximise the opportunities available elsewhere."

Police Supt Rollitt states, although I understand the passion of the supporters of the Vulcan, over the past few months as we approach its final flights, more and more spectators have turned up at events where the Vulcan has been. This has started to overwhelm local authorities and emergency services. My first priority is ensuring the safety of all road users and local communities. Doncaster airport is a small commercial airport that can accommodate its passengers, however the infrastructure around it cannot accommodate a large influx of people hoping to see the Vulcan. The Vulcan trust have worked with us to satisfy the safety issue by providing a flight timetable to ensure that members of the public will get see the final flights from other vantage points around the country.

Caroline Rollitt
Superintendent
Joint Specialist Operations (Uniform)
South Yorkshire Police