Waddington

[Pgreen60]

I am a little concerned about reports that are circulating on the local news about this week-end`s Waddington Airshow. There has been a lot of derogatory reports concerning the traffic chaos. Some reports stating that people were stuck in traffic jams awaiting entry to the airfield for over two hours. Other reports state that people were actually turned away on Saturday because too many people had turned up.
Other reports stated that the Vulcan did not take to the air due to not having a valid airworthiness certificate. With what little knowledge I have about such matters, I cannot beleive that a major attraction such as the Vulcan could turn up at a premier airshow without one just does not ring true

[Mayfly]

Hello Pgreen60 welcome to Iconic...

It is true that there were problems with traffic - not surprising when it was the largest gate attendance they have ever had. From the reports I hear the local police didn't help the situation either. I know that those that couldn't get in on Saturday were told there tickets would be valid for Sunday. The normal attendance on average for the weekend is 120,000 this year they had 170,000.

If you look in the Vulcan thread you will see comments about the debacle of 558, it is true her permit ran out at midnight on the Thursday evening & they working on getting an extension to that right now.

[Pujgnie]

Well... I'll be leaving at least 45 mins earlier for Yeovilton on Saturday

[Hihonyr8811]

Yeah I heard about the traffic problems too.

Was a bit suprised to tell the truth, as it only took us 15 minutes to arrive and park on the Saturday, and 10 minutes to get off the base at the end.
We only saw a tiny traffic jam going into Bracebridge and that was it, so we were very lucky I thnk.
But then we did arrive in the queue at 07:45 and leave at 18:45

[Saracenman]

Pgreen60, i think you'd be surprised just how much difference 558 makes to airshow footfall - there really IS a Vulcan effect!

i know when i spoke with Biggin Hill Airshow office last year, they told me that the previous year, there'd been a rumour going around that 558 was coming (a bit tough as she was still in bits!) - the result of the rumour was that it broke Biggin's telephone exchange!

sm

[Gully]

I had no traffic issues either: left home at 6.00am from Hertfordshire and was parked on base at 7.50am: no queue entering past Barn Farm. I left at around 7.30pm and was home at 9.25pm - easy!

Gully

[Mayfly]

for anyone who is reading this & couldn't get in on saturday there is a link on the Waddington airshow web site telling you how you can gain a refund

I must admit if I go anywhere there is likely to be a queue to get in, I always leave early - I would rather sit in the car having a drink for an hour or wander around early, than sit is traffic queues

[Dangerousdave]

You and I are quite lucky Mrs T, cos we both live near Waddington.

I know that there were loads trying to get in and I know that traffic built up so bad that people were let in without having tickets checked.
Also people who HAD bought tickets were turned away cos it was full, even though they were pre-bought. Had I pre-bought tickets and dragged my kids half way across the UK to see an airshow I was not permitted to enter, I'd have been just a little upset too.

A bit like having a ticket for a concert and then being refused entry cos it's full due to people turning up and paying on the door.

[Mayfly]

DD I wasn't having a pop at any one just saying I like to get where ever I'm going early

[Mags]

We didn't wait too long to get in on the Sunday but getting out was another story..........