Lakenheath spotters carpark

[BOLLO]

I think it’s terrible if the council are going to do that and put logs all along the verges.
Been going to Lakenheath for 30 odd years and always parked there keeping out of the way and causing no trouble.
The viewing area is tiny and the verges can be used for loads of cars which can’t get in to it.
There’s gonna be a lot of hassle enforcing that lane when something decent turns up.
It’s a sad day for the aviation enthusiast.

A certain Bald short MOD Police officer, hasn't helped either he's been picking on people at both the viewing area and the forest side, he also stopped the Mako F-16 Pilots selling their Merch from their car, he was also the one parked up for 2 hours last summer on the verge, down towards the old derelict building, he seems to have nothing better to do.

He's a nice chap when ya get to know him. Never had no trouble from and always have a chat when he comes round and does his checks as part of his job.

[powerslave]

I think it’s terrible if the council are going to do that and put logs all along the verges.
Been going to Lakenheath for 30 odd years and always parked there keeping out of the way and causing no trouble.
The viewing area is tiny and the verges can be used for loads of cars which can’t get in to it.
There’s gonna be a lot of hassle enforcing that lane when something decent turns up.
It’s a sad day for the aviation enthusiast.

If people observe the law there shouldn't be any "hassle" - it will only be caused by those who want to be difficult!

It's more of a sad day when so-called civilised enthusiasts cannot accept the restrictions imposed.

Causing problems may lead to the viewing area being closed altogether. It is a privilege not a right.

Again - only time will tell.

Yeah your right but from now there’s only go to be very few people who are going to be observing the law.And they are the ones going to be the first into the tiny viewing area.
So there’s going to be hundreds more lawbreakers each day because the council are stopping people parking in the verges with logs,when most of the time they were’nt causing any problems.
I would say I’m pretty civilised but I’m not going to drive 200 odd miles from Lancashire hoping I can get a spot in that tiny car park.
What’s wrong with parking next to a log unless there’s signs saying no parking.

[powerslave]

I think it’s terrible if the council are going to do that and put logs all along the verges.
Been going to Lakenheath for 30 odd years and always parked there keeping out of the way and causing no trouble.
The viewing area is tiny and the verges can be used for loads of cars which can’t get in to it.
There’s gonna be a lot of hassle enforcing that lane when something decent turns up.
It’s a sad day for the aviation enthusiast.

If people observe the law there shouldn't be any "hassle" - it will only be caused by those who want to be difficult!

It's more of a sad day when so-called civilised enthusiasts cannot accept the restrictions imposed.

Causing problems may lead to the viewing area being closed altogether. It is a privilege not a right.

Again - only time will tell.

Yeah your right but from now there’s only go to be very few people who are going to be observing the law.And they are the ones going to be the first into the tiny viewing area.
So there’s going to be hundreds more lawbreakers each day because the council are stopping people parking in the verges with logs,when most of the time they were’nt causing any problems.
I would say I’m pretty civilised but I’m not going to drive 200 odd miles from Lancashire hoping I can get a spot in that tiny car park.
There was nothing wrong with parking on the verges leading Upto the viewing area.The so called special environmental area is fenced off.
By parking on the verges it kept the road clear by allowing us to park slightly off the road making it safer.

[markranger]

The maths doesn't work anymore unfortunately, The viewing area can not support the demand.
The last few years people have been getting to Lakenheath earlier and earlier and eventually you will need top be in the car park at like 4am to get a space,

Bit like how the loop ended up.

Amazing how popular it has all got really.

[srob]

Is there enough call for a shuttle bus (well, a taxi!) from Brandon or somewhere? There's plenty of free parking there and sounds like it could solve a lot of stress. A taxi from Brandon would be no more than a couple of quid, split between a few mates would seem a reasonable solution.

Means you don't have to stress about getting there early, too!

[John flightpath]

That could be a solution srob. Or us a bike as mentioned previously in the thread. Oh and dont forget the brolly.
Cheers
John 'flightpath'.

[Nighthawke]

Where is there plenty of free parking in Brandon? Bury Road car park is the only public car park and that is no longer free.

[srob]

Where is there plenty of free parking in Brandon? Bury Road car park is the only public car park and that is no longer free.

I live in Brandon and I'm struggling to think of a single road that has any parking restrictions on it.

George St carpark (by the fire station) is also a public carpark and last time I looked didn't have the machines as the Forest School one does.

Failing that I don't think Tesco does? Certainly people park there from the local houses, so I assume there isn't. And the sports center doesn't have any restrictions as far as I know? For £2 you can park for the day in the Country Park, and you have toilets and a cafe there for the start and end of the day - that would be my (admittedly non-free, but nice) choice!

As a side note I thought Bury Road carpark is still free, you just need a ticket? Must admit I haven't looked as I tend to walk into town if I'm going!

[BOLLO]

At the end of the day,if ya can not get parked up safely then go else where and come back later and see if ya can get in.

[BOLLO]

Where is there plenty of free parking in Brandon? Bury Road car park is the only public car park and that is no longer free.

Tesco's car park a good place to spot from it seems .

[Nighthawke]

I also live in Brandon and OK I missed the fire station one but it is small. Also I don't think supernarkets and other facilities with their own car parks would take kindly to large numbers of spotters' cars filling them. Parking on roads is just going to clog them up, especially bus routes etc. Plus I cannot see a shuttle service being viable.

[Nighthawke]

Tesco's car park a good place to spot from it seems .

If you've ever been when there's something on approach to 24 you'll know it isn't If you haven't, then it still isn't.

[BOLLO]

Yeah been ther to shop not a crafty spotting gig.

[srob]

I also live in Brandon and OK I missed the fire station one but it is small. Also I don't think supernarkets and other facilities with their own car parks would take kindly to large numbers of spotters' cars filling them. Parking on roads is just going to clog them up, especially bus routes etc. Plus I cannot see a shuttle service being viable.

There's millions of people park in Brandon to go to the forest/High Lodge, so I doubt they'd notice too many more 'spotters'.

I wasn't really serious about a shuttle bus, but from the times I've got a taxi to the station in Brandon when it's been raining too hard to walk, it would be well under a fiver to get to Lakenheath. Park (legally, and without any issues) at the Country park, have a nice cup of coffee and bacon roll in the cafe, a pee then get a taxi to Lakenheath and back at the end of the day. I reckon you could do that lot for under 20 quid, which isn't bad for a day out.

And yes it's not as good as pitching up and parking in the carpark at Lakenheath, but it's better than not going which seems to be a distinct possibility by the sounds of it, especially if people are travelling a long way to get there!

[Nighthawke]

Yes I suppose you could miss millions of people in a huge place like Brandon with a population of around 10,000. I must have blinked or been away Better start buying a fleet of taxis

[BOLLO]

Got to remember that some chaps have not been down for a year and have obeyed the law with not going out and this could be their only day out,so there will be other days if your a local and can get up later in the day or the next day.

[srob]

Yes I suppose you could miss millions of people in a huge place like Brandon with a population of around 10,000. I must have blinked or been away Better start buying a fleet of taxis

As someone local I was only trying to help with what is a perfectly viable option - regardless of how you don't seem to think it it. Parking is available and taxis are available.

I won't bother any more though, I'll leave you to it.

[Freeman Lowell]

Very soon the Council are going to install logs all the way along the verges, that run past the viewing area car Park right down to Wangford road.

This wouldn’t be a cheap job. It would be difficult to justify expenditure here on this verge on environmental grounds and certainly near impossible to support on safety grounds.
Zuluone, did your source for this info explain the reason for it or where it was to be funded from?
Freeman

[f106dart]

Is there enough call for a shuttle bus (well, a taxi!) from Brandon or somewhere? There's plenty of free parking there and sounds like it could solve a lot of stress. A taxi from Brandon would be no more than a couple of quid, split between a few mates would seem a reasonable solution.

Means you don't have to stress about getting there early, too!

A good idea for a capalist looking to make some money. But seriously, when I went to toms field at mildenhall I believe its called, some people don't even pay the pay the pound it cost to go there

[Zuluone]

Very soon the Council are going to install logs all the way along the verges, that run past the viewing area car Park right down to Wangford road.

This wouldn’t be a cheap job. It would be difficult to justify expenditure here on this verge on environmental grounds and certainly near impossible to support on safety grounds.
Zuluone, did your source for this info explain the reason for it or where it was to be funded from?
Freeman

All i can say is, the Logs were supposed to be installed last year, as the verges are protected and a rare Wild Flower apparently grows on it, i personally think the verges are too far gone, ie worn down by Lorries carving grooves in them,( Last year, Contractors had a Map and Drawing then measured from the Base gate, all the way down to Wangford rd )
Let's hope they don't do it and spend the money on something else.