Car Parking

Forum for information about the annual show at RAF Cosford
G for George
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Car Parking

Post by G for George »

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and have a question regarding the car parking at Cosford. After the disappointment of being turned away in 2013 and having to watch from a nearby naughty field (although it was a great view under the flight path of the displays), last year my elderly dad and me decided to get on the road nice and early, reaching the base before the gates opened. The plan was to watch from our van as my dad can't get about very easily due to having two hip replacement operations. Once inside, we were directed to car park 7, which unfortunately for us was behind some large trees, to the right of the crowd line, which made it impossible to see the display from where we were parked, meaning my dad had to walk some distance to get clear of the trees. Did we get there too early? Or is using the main entrance more likely to get us directed to a more central car park? (I think we used the green entrance) Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially with this years line up looking so good. Sorry about the essay, thanks in advance.

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CJS
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Re: Car Parking

Post by CJS »

"There's only one way of life, and that's your own"

G for George
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Re: Car Parking

Post by G for George »

No, as his condition is deemed temporary. Thanks for the reply.

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CJS
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Re: Car Parking

Post by CJS »

It might be worth giving them a ring and explaining the situation. If you don't ask you don't get and all that :-)

No idea how they decide on who parks where at Cosford but at RIAT it's based on the direction you arrive from and the police change it based on traffic flow on the day. Maybe change your route slightly and approach from a different direction?
"There's only one way of life, and that's your own"

G for George
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Re: Car Parking

Post by G for George »

Yes it's definitely worth a shot. We've always tried to avoid the main routes as much as possible in the past, usually coming in from the lanes, past the barracks. Perhaps it's worth sticking to the main roads, but still arriving early to miss the traffic. Many thanks again.

TYPHOON3
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Re: Car Parking

Post by TYPHOON3 »

Usually you do get directed over by the trees you mention if you arrive early(when the gates open)I come in through the main entrance under the railway bridge.Like another poster has said, it might be worth mentioning the situation to the people directing the traffic and they might let you park a bit closer to the display line.

PeterR
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Re: Car Parking

Post by PeterR »

George,
This year the area that was previously known as Car Park 7 is no longer a car park! So no danger of being parked there again...! :win:

Although Car Parking isn't in my area of responsibility, I have been to a couple of the traffic meetings and it was said that the fill order this year would be changed this year so the early arrivals filled Car Park 2 (closest to the crowdline) first. No promises, but I think this is still the plan so your best bet is arrive early via the 'normal' entrance (M54 > A41 > Old Worcester Road) and hopefully you'll be in luck.

G for George
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Re: Car Parking

Post by G for George »

That's fantastic. I appreciate your replies everybody. And I've said this in another thread this evening, but well done to the organisers on what is already a great line up. Cheers.

jayne_morris
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Re: Car Parking

Post by jayne_morris »

I see this year there is going to be off site parking, do we know where this is and what routes will be sent into the off site parking lots?

cosford air show for us is all about being based around the car kind of like a huge tailgate party, we are never in a rush to get out at the end of the show

how can we guarantee on base parking?

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Wes_Howes
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Re: Car Parking

Post by Wes_Howes »

Get there early enough would be my only suggestion

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stevebrodie
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Re: Car Parking

Post by stevebrodie »

jayne_morris wrote:I see this year there is going to be off site parking, do we know where this is and what routes will be sent into the off site parking lots?

cosford air show for us is all about being based around the car kind of like a huge tailgate party, we are never in a rush to get out at the end of the show

how can we guarantee on base parking?


Quite agree... we used to come down the back lane from Shifnal, but found hit and miss were you went, so we used to use M54 from Telford, bypass the signs that sent you back on yourself and then turned right at the base traffic lights, have to be early as well though
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The Star of Woo
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Re: Car Parking

Post by The Star of Woo »

I have a blue badge and won't be able to walk to the static line up or indeed anywhere away from the disabled car park, can anyone enlighten me as to which direction to drive in from to be routed to the disabled car park please. Last time we came in via the back lanes from Bridgnorth way and were escorted across the airfield by a motorbike outrider to the disabled car park!! Also, would the early bird holding car park be a sensible idea to at least get us inside rather than in a queue outside and then to try to get to the disabled car park.... oh decisions, decisions!!

Any info and advice would be much appreciated please.

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stevebrodie
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Re: Car Parking

Post by stevebrodie »

PeterR wrote:George,
Although Car Parking isn't in my area of responsibility, I have been to a couple of the traffic meetings and it was said that the fill order this year would be changed this year so the early arrivals filled Car Park 2 (closest to the crowdline) first. No promises, but I think this is still the plan so your best bet is arrive early via the 'normal' entrance (M54 > A41 > Old Worcester Road) and hopefully you'll be in luck.


Thats the most sensible thing i have heard for ages, no longer penalised for ensuring you arrive nice and early and end up been parked back in Shifnal, while joe bloggs turns up at 12 and parks centre crowd line :grin:

And dismount from my high horse :lol:

Gates don't open till 8.30 according to the ticket uhm ......................
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Sundowner
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Re: Car Parking

Post by Sundowner »

Looking at the site plan, isn't carpark 2 the one right down the bottom end ? Not really along the crowd line or the best of places to be parked if you like to stay with your car..

G for George
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Re: Car Parking

Post by G for George »

Its on the main thread that early arrivals should be directed to car park 1 after the holding field.

smr
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Re: Car Parking

Post by smr »

Hi,

My first time here and I see there may be some patchy rain, hopefully just in the morning and its dry for the rest of the day mind! But I was wondering if there is space between the cars in the car parks to put a 4 man tent up, I would never dream of blocking anyone elses' views and using a tent on or near the crowdline (not one of those types!) and it says on the FAQ that that is not permitted anyway, which is quite right too! But I have a littleun and two other kids with me so rather than be sat in the car if it is raining I wondered if we could bring a tent and put it next to our car, if there is space and it's permitted and acceptable?

G for George
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Re: Car Parking

Post by G for George »

Well, it's happened again. Followed the signs down the A41, got here nice and early, only to be directed into car park 7, as far from the displays as you can get. When voicing my concerns with a very friendly staff member, it seems the only way to get any closer is to rejoin an ever increasing queue. Should have rolled up at eleven. Not happy.

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Tommy
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Re: Car Parking

Post by Tommy »

Weird. I followed the route exactly the same as Peter said, got here early and found myself in Car Park 2 after waiting in the holding car park for a while. Perhaps you didn't get here early enough, George!

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Pat Murphy
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Re: Car Parking

Post by Pat Murphy »

G for George wrote:Well, it's happened again. Followed the signs down the A41, got here nice and early, only to be directed into car park 7, as far from the displays as you can get. When voicing my concerns with a very friendly staff member, it seems the only way to get any closer is to rejoin an ever increasing queue. Should have rolled up at eleven. Not happy.


Same for me George. Here at 8 and dumped in 7. Soz Cosford. Last one for me. Dummy spat :(

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Pat Murphy
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Re: Car Parking

Post by Pat Murphy »

PeterR wrote:George,
This year the area that was previously known as Car Park 7 is no longer a car park! So no danger of being parked there again...! :win:

Although Car Parking isn't in my area of responsibility, I have been to a couple of the traffic meetings and it was said that the fill order this year would be changed this year so the early arrivals filled Car Park 2 (closest to the crowdline) first. No promises, but I think this is still the plan so your best bet is arrive early via the 'normal' entrance (M54 > A41 > Old Worcester Road) and hopefully you'll be in luck.


Sadly turned out not to be the case. Spoiled it for me. Oh and getting out might be fun cos its pretty muddy lol

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CJS
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Re: Car Parking

Post by CJS »

Parking worked well for me - smooth operation imho. And it's not that muddy I'm afraid ;-)
"There's only one way of life, and that's your own"

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Pat Murphy
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Re: Car Parking

Post by Pat Murphy »

Chris Strawson wrote:Parking worked well for me - smooth operation imho. And it's not that muddy I'm afraid ;-)


Back at the car for butties. The organisers would do well to canvas some opinion from some in car park 7. I haven't heard one positive comment yet. They're still arriving here now (11am).
As for the mud, mind you don't fall in it Chris *rolls eyes at Chris playing in the mud*

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CJS
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Re: Car Parking

Post by CJS »

I love playing in the mud *squelch* ;-)
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G for George
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Re: Car Parking

Post by G for George »

Arrived just before 8. All I can think is that the traffic control must be different when approaching from the north, as those coming from the south seemed to be directed to the holding field. We witnessed people turning up after 12 and being directed straight to the front car parks. It really has put a dampener on today. Cosford is unique in the sense that it should be possible to view from your car, so to end up in what resembled a farmers field outside the perimeter fence was really disappointing. Hope everyone enjoyed today, wishing you all a safe journey home.

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Wissam24
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Re: Car Parking

Post by Wissam24 »

We were in a queue to get in for a while after joining it at 8 but we were out of the car by half 8 and getting out has been a doddle.
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