News

Severn Trent’s Upper Derwent Valley Reservoir is supporting a special flyover, as part of the 75th anniversary of the Dambuster raids and 100th anniversary of the RAF.

The Battle of Britain memorial flight will be flying the last flyable Lancaster bomber aircraft over the Derwent Dam towers, once used for training runs for the famous Dambusters squadron, on Wednesday 16 May.

Hazel Earnshaw from Severn Trent said: “We’ve supported previous anniversary flyover events and we’re really excited to watch it happen again. It’s a real privilege that our beautiful reservoir plays such an important role in history.

“We want everyone who’s coming to enjoy the flyover to have a safe and enjoyable time, but as we’re set amongst a beautiful valley, there is limited parking available which will be on a first come first served basis.”

Severn Trent will have volunteers and rangers on hand to help support on the day, with the aircraft due to fly over at 12pm, and then for a second time at 12:10pm.

The aircraft will then carry on south and pass over Chatsworth House which will also have viewing facilities for people to watch, then towards Derby.

“There’s a lot of interest and plenty of people will want to come see the flyover, this means it may be really busy around the site, so please bear that in mind when you plan your visit as there may be delays getting in and around the area.”

Severn Trent has worked closely with the local emergency services, the Peak District National Park Authority, Derbyshire County Council and the RAF BBMF ahead of the event to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible on the day.

There will be some temporary traffic restrictions around the site on the day with the road from Derwent Dam and Fairholmes closed all day, and the A57 to Fairholmes closed once parking is full. No drones are permitted at all on site.

“We’re preparing ourselves at Upper Derwent for a busy day, and we really hope that everyone who comes to watch enjoys themselves,” adds Hazel “There’s plenty to do here, so you can really make a day out of it and make use of this stunning site.”

Severn Trent’s Upper Derwent Valley is made up the Derwent, Howden and Ladybower reservoirs that were created in the early 20th Century.

The popular visitor site attracts more than a million visitors each year due to its natural beauty, and is managed by Severn Trent in partnership with the Peak District National Park Authority.

For more information about Upper Derwent and to help plan your trip, please visit stwater.co.uk/daysout