A town has banned the Red Arrows from putting on an annual flying display – over health and safety fears, it emerged yesterday.
The world famous jet formation flying team were due to perform an aeronautical show as part of a town regatta in the seaside resort of Dartmouth, Devon.
But they have been banned by the regatta committee who claim ”vibrations” from low flying aircraft carry a health and safety risk.
Organisers fear a number of buildings which suffered extensive damage in a recent fire could be at risk.
The ban was imposed after concerns were raised at meeting of owners of affected properties, building control experts and council officials.
Mayor Richard Rendle said there were fears over vibrations from the aircraft which would fly just a few hundred feet above the town
He said: ”There were expressions of concern because at the moment the buildings are still moving and have not yet been stabilised.
”Those concerns were fairly well received by the regatta committee, which has promised to carry out a risk assessment.”
A historic part of Dartmouth’s town centre was left in ruins when a blaze swept through the streets in May.
Regatta chairman Jim Brent added: ”One of the concerns was about the vibration from aircraft on the buildings, which have been left fairly unstable.”
The Red Arrows were scheduled to put on the display at the Dartmouth Royal Regatta on August 28.
The RAF have offered to send in experts to assess any risk to the buildings.
