Sidmouth’s Airshow featuring the Red Arrows is to continue for at least the next two years, following a lengthy review of the event by the town council. 

Since June this year the council has been assessing the level of support for the Airshow among local residents and businesses. It has also been exploring the event’s environmental impact, its economic benefits to Sidmouth as a whole, and any negative effects on the town. 

On Monday, November 7, councillors discussed an evaluation report drawing together the results of all these assessments, and decided to continue holding the Airshow for the next two years while investigating possible alternative attractions for the August bank holiday. No further decisions on its future will be made without consulting residents and businesses. 

The report contained details of a local residents’ survey showing that more than 90 per cent of the 869 respondents supported the Airshow. A survey of businesses attracted only 34 responses, but almost all thought the Airshow benefits Sidmouth, with nearly half reporting a rise in takings on the day. 

The report states: “The environmental impact of air display aircraft is difficult to measure accurately. According to the British Air Display Association Environmental Sustainability Charter, ‘studies have shown that carbon emissions from display aircraft usually account for less than 20% of an airshow’s carbon footprint’. It should be noted that the aircraft, if not at flying at Sidmouth, will almost certainly be in use elsewhere.  

“Our Air Show Flight Director has produced an estimate of the amount of aviation spirit and carbon emissions for the display aircraft used in 2022, plus the Red Arrows, who did not appear. The total emissions of the aircraft that appeared in 2022 was estimated at 1.25 tonnes of CO2. The Red Arrows did not appear, but their estimated emissions are a maximum of 3.78 tonnes of CO2 per aircraft. 

“The BADA states that, ‘for the majority of UK air displays, the emissions from private cars transporting visitors to your event site will have the most significant environmental impact.” 

To mitigate the environmental impact of the Airshow and other major events, Sidmouth Town Council said it will be looking at schemes such as increased electric vehicle charging and park and ride, to reduce the environmental impact of private car journeys. It will also continue working with local organisations to build up the rest of the Sidmouth Regatta weekend.