RAF Fairford - Parking

See this latest example of the stupidity of British Police forces in
an article from a local Wilstshire paper.....when will these *******
realise that they are gradually alienating just about every law
abiding member of society?


The Gloucester Citizen July 9, 2003


Copyright 2003 The Gloucester Citizen
The Gloucester Citizen


July 9, 2003

SECTION: News; 999; Campaigns; Pg. 9

LENGTH: 428 words

HEADLINE: Parking For Residents Only Around Air Base

BODY:
The system of double and single yellow lines around RAF Fairford will
come into force on Thursday and will effectively ban everyone, except
residents, from parking on roads in the area. Sergeant Pat Taylor, of
Fairford Police, said: "The roads around RAF Fairford are typical
country lanes and any cars parked at the sides can soon start to cause
traffic delays.

"Whenever there is activity at the air base large numbers of people
turn up and park on the roads to watch the planes. "This can severely
hinder emergency vehicle access to the area as well as causing
disruption to local residents." The base became a focus of media
interest in the run-up to and during the war on Iraq. American B-52
bombers based there provoked protests from peace campaigners.

It is hoped the new parking restrictions will make access to the Royal
International Air Tattoo - to be held at the base on July 19 and 20 -
easier for visitors.

Historic jet aircraft built in Gloucester are among the stars of the
show, which celebrates 100 years of powered flight.

The world's first twin jet delta wing fighter, the Gloster Javelin,
and the first operational jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, were made
at factories in Hucclecote and Brockworth in the 1940s and '50s.

Fifty years on, examples of both aircraft, loaned by the
Gloucester-based Jet Age Museum, will be at the show.

The Meteor Mark 8, which was built at Glosters in 1954 and served with
601 squadron in Malta, will also be there.

The new parking restriction system around RAF Fairford is experimental
and will be re-assessed after six months, but police hope it will
become permanent.

Police are to visit residents in the area and will be issuing permits
to any households which do not have suitable off-road parking.

Officers will also consider applications for permits from frequent
visitors to householders.

Residents will be asked to tell visitors to their homes to display a
note in their vehicle window to indicate they are visiting.

Motorists caught parking illegally will be issued with fixed penalty
fines of £30.

Sgt Taylor said the force would visit every home covered by the
permit-only areas to fully explain the new system and would leave
letters of explanation at any addresses where no one was in.

Those who do not receive a permit but feel they deserve one can
contact Fairford Police Station on 0845 090 1234.

Or they can visit the station on Friday or Saturday from 9am to 11am
and from 6pm to 8pm, or on Sunday from 9am to 11am and 5pm to 7pm.