'Dambusters' bus honours county's WW2 role

A new bus service honouring Lincolnshire's aviation heritage has launched.

The B617 is named after the famous 617 Squadron, better known as the Dambusters, which was based in the county during World War Two.

Operating Monday to Saturday, the new service connects Horncastle, Woodhall Spa, Tattershall, Coningsby, Billinghay, Metheringham, Branston and Lincoln.

Councillor Natalie Oliver said: "This is a terrific thing to provide for the community."

The new service connects multiple locations known for their RAF links.

RAF Metheringham operated as an active Bomber Command station from 1943 until 1946, while RAF Coningsby hosted the Dambusters during part of World War Two.

On the night of 16 May 1943, Lancasters took off from RAF Scampton and attacked German dams using a bouncing bomb developed by Sir Barnes Wallis, with the sortie immortalised in the 1955 film The Dam Busters.

The Dambusters' true primary base, however, was RAF Woodhall Spa.

In the heart of the village is the Petwood Hotel, the squadron's former officers' mess, which now houses a collection of wartime memorabilia.

Lincolnshire County Council said the service will improve travel options for rural residents. Councillors also hope it will ease parking pressures in villages and towns.

The service, run by bus operator Brylaine, is funded by the Department for Transport's bus service improvement plan.

The council said the timetable would operate for a six‑month period, with passenger numbers monitored.

The full timetable and route can be found on the LincsBus website.

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