Roads closed and screens put up around RAF base

Roads surrounding an RAF base used by the United States Air Force (USAF) to launch operations against Iran have been closed in a bid to "address safety and access issues".

Protective screens have gone up around RAF Fairford to stop people from filming into the base.

The area has become popular with plane spotters since USAF bombers began arriving at the base earlier this month, with traffic cones placed on Whelford Road to stop people from parking on the road and the verges.

"All of the measures currently in place have been agreed following discussions with Gloucestershire Constabulary and RAF Fairford," Joe Harris, highways cabinet member at Gloucestershire County Council, said.

Harris said a road closure has also been introduced on Dunfield Road so residents can access their homes at all times.

Jo Hursey, a military veteran from Wiltshire, said: "There's some sensitive information behind the scenes here, and when it comes to it we just need to employ some intelligence and do the right thing."

Hursey made the half-hour trip from Royal Wootton Bassett to Fairford to see the planes and "witness history", but said she saw people using ladders to look over the barrier, which she believes is inappropriate.

The Dunfield Loop road, which runs adjacent to the base and leads to the runway, is closed in both directions.

Gloucestershire Police confirmed that an officer had previously closed the road due to poor parking and the need to keep crash gates clear.

The closure is now being managed by Gloucestershire County Council.

Phil Kerton, leader of Neighbourhood Watch at Hazel View in Kempsford, said there is a car park at the bottom of the estate he lives on, but plane enthusiasts just "park wherever".

He said: "The Loop road was like the M25.

"I've seen it down on the Top Road, but it was actually worse on the front of the airfield because in the dark... [plane spotters] were standing right on the edge of the road with no reflective clothing.

"You came upon them at the last minute... and that's what we don't like about this present moment with regards to all the aircraft."

Photographers captured images of ordnance being prepared at the base for use against Iran earlier this week.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the USAF said: "The 501st Combat Support Wing remains vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families.

"We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families."

The UK government has approved the use of US bases on its territory for "defensive" strikes on Iranian military sites, and British forces have been deployed to help defend its allies in the Gulf and Cyprus, but it has refused to get involved in the wider war.

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