Businesses´ bid to save Lyneham
The relocation of 10,000 troops returning from bases in Germany could provide a huge boost to the North Wiltshire economy - and save communities around the threatened RAF Lyneham base.
That was the message from business leaders and politicians at the launch of a campaign to keep Lyneham in military use.
Business leaders across North Wiltshire have joined forces to launch the campaign to save Lyneham, which is due to close as an operational air base in 2011.
The Chambers of Commerce in Wootton Bassett - which has become famous for staging repatriation ceremonies for fallen servicemen, whose bodies are returned to the base - and the neighbouring towns of Calne and Malmesbury said they fear for the economy in North Wiltshire when the RAF moves its fleet of Hercules Brize Norton in West Oxfordshire.
Paul Dunn, president of Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce, said: "Not only Wootton Bassett, but Lyneham, Calne, Malmesbury and other North Wiltshire communities will all suffer economically with the closure of RAF Lyneham.
"Estimates talk of up to a 50 percent loss in trade for local towns which could turn this area into an economic wasteland. It will affect all our lives.
"The Army is considering merging some of the smaller technical and supply bases in Wiltshire. The RAF Lyneham base is big enough to take the amalgamation and have room for returning troops from Germany.
"It makes economic and geographic sense - and could be a solution that will save our towns.
"The aim is to encourage the Strategic Defence Review, which meets in October, to seriously consider filling the economic void by relocating other smaller military supply bases and a return base for troops returning from Germany to Lyneham."
The campaign has the support of Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce, whose spokesman, Stefan Barbaruk, said: " When the base closes it closes will have a devastating economic effect on the area.
"We only have a short window of opportunity to persuade the Strategic Defence Review to merge some of its smaller military bases and relocate them to Lyneham."
Businesses can show their support by writing to local MP James Gray, who supports the campaign, signing the online petition, and by joining the Twitter and Facebook campaigns.
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