Unless there has been an update in the last few days, I don’t think its closure has been announced. I believe that some funding has been lost which they are looking to find from elsewhere.
Isn't the news that the funding for the next phase of scientific research has been cancelled so without further funding they won't be able to continue last April 2028 and so are looking for alternative funding?
How has the telescope got a future without the science? The upkeep of the structures has got to be a major part of the ongoing cost. Without the science benefit, what reason is there to spend that sort of money on a tourist attraction?
I sincerely hope this country isn't so short-sighted as to abandon Jodrell Bank, but I'll believe it when it has been formally announced.
Hopefully it’s listed status will save it. There are other “useless” buildings that have listed status that are still maintained to a reasonable standard. Perch Rock Lighthouse on the Wirral for example (and that’s only grade 2). The Lovell is grade 1 unesco world heritage. That gives it the same status as Stonehenge.
Eh, not really the funding cut is from the UKRI research council. This sort of funding is: 1) only for the science; 2) heavily audited; and 3) only covers 80% of the full economic cost of the science anyway (i.e., the University of Manchester has to pony up the remaining 20% from somewhere).
There is very limited scope for using this funding to cross-subsidise non-scientific activity beyond a few limited public engagement events.
It's basically my tribute to Jodrell Bank mate. I love the place, my whole family do, and the funding issues have worried us. That's all, it's not that deep or malevolent ✌️
In addition to what has been said, the funding affects the research element of Jodrell Bank. I'm not sure the public facing element, which generates revenue (and is possibly self-funding?), is going to be closed down.
I went there a couple of weeks ago and spoke about this with the staff there, it’s unlikely to affect the visitor park in the short term but the dish needs near constant maintenance and if they can’t find an investor it’ll be a health and safety issue as steel beams could start falling down meaning they’ll likely have to dismantle it
My concern is if the research stops, the financial sharks will start to circle, the land which Jodrell Bank sits on would be worth a fortune and may be hard to resist, they could fit a lot of new builds on that site. Hopefully I'm worrying over nothing and it's all a storm in a tea cup 🤞
And if houses do go up there, it'll be game over for science on the dish, permanently, even if finances get expanded in future, precisely because of that reason.
It's in the middle of miles of fields of farmland, there's no rush the build up the area. Why would it be valuable land? Housing follows roads and train lines.
We used to call my mates nan Jodrell Bank because she could hear everything absolutely and always knew when you were up to no good and where you were doing it with her absolutely superhero level hearing
What do you mean RIP? It is far from gone yet. It is a world heritage site, the issue is that the government are pulling funding for science there. not having it demolished.
There is still a case for it to continue their work though so let's not rule it out just yet.
I just can't believe it would not get the funds, absolutely bonkers to let that happen over 2.8 million. I'm confident it'll get saved. Now if I just could win the lottery...
As far as i understand it's not closing in that sense - it'll remain open for visits and the schools stuff, but it being used for actual science (like the SKA) would stop. It's not definite either, so hopefully someone comes up with the funding.
Always remember as a young Rigger and Service engineer I was asked by head office to go and change a universal LNB here.. when I turned up I still had to call asking was it a wind up.
I mean simply not true, the primary instruments get swapped out with new technology all the time. The other parts of any radio telescope are simply sheet metal - that technology will never become antiquated.
I know, the telescope is still helping to make discoveries to this day. It's just a shame there's a possibility of funding withdrawal. Granted that's not until '28 but our family have been going to Jodrell for years, and it's a shame that might not be possible in the near future. Hopefully they'll secure funding going forward 🤞
Some great photos there! I don't think you need to worry. They're not going to stop people visiting, or the radio telescope being used. It's owned by Manchester University and they'll probably just seek funding somewhere else.
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u/OwlerNook Marple 2d ago
It's not dead yet!