The open letter was signed by prominent figures who have performed at or broadcast from Jodrell Bank, including guitarist Johnny Marr, Kraftwerk electronic music pioneer Ralf Hütter, bands New Order, Elbow and Doves, comedian Dara Ó Briain and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
The letter described Jodrell Bank Observatory as “an icon in UK cultural and scientific history” and the “thriving, thumping heart of space observation, research and education in the UK”.
It said the world-renowned science site was “more ambitious than ever”, with major plans already under way to strengthen the UK’s leadership and global relevance in the rapidly developing fields of space exploration and utilisation.
As the headquarters of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, Jodrell Bank is “at the heart of the biggest astronomical project in the world”, the letter said. It added that the observatory could play an “essential role” in global safety by tracking space debris, destructive solar flares, satellites and asteroids.
The letter also described Jodrell Bank as “the birthplace of future UK science pioneers”, noting that the site welcomes more than 25,000 schoolchildren each year.
“This only begins to explain the value of Jodrell Bank,” it added.
“If you were offered the opportunity to deliver these significant national and global benefits for an investment of just £2.8m a year, you would be foolish not to seize it.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk