More than 150 public figures, including Sir Brian May, New Order and Jarvis Cocker, have signed an open letter urging the government to restore £2.8m in funding for Jodrell Bank Observatory. The Lovell Telescope, the world’s third-largest steerable radio telescope, is threatened along with 28 staff roles, and all scientific observations could end on 1 April 2028 unless new funding is found. University of Manchester scientists, led by Prof Brian Cox, called the cut "hasty and ill-considered" and warned of damage to the UK's science base.
Star-Studded Appeal to Save Jodrell Bank: Lovell Telescope, 28 Jobs and Thousands of Researchers at Risk
Ex-Queen guitarist Sir Brian May has joined more 150 public figures who have called on the government to save Jodrell Bank [PA Media]
More than 150 public figures — including musicians Sir Brian May, New Order and Jarvis Cocker — have added their names to an open letter urging the UK government and funding bodies to restore support for Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire.
The Pulp's lead singer Jarvis Cocker has backed the Jodrell Bank campaign [BBC]
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency withdrew £2.8m of funding for the site, which is home to the historic Lovell Telescope, the world’s third-largest steerable radio telescope. The cut places 28 jobs at the observatory at immediate risk and threatens the long-term operation of a facility relied on by nearly 3,000 researchers.
The Lovell telescope has been at the cutting edge of science for nearly 70 years [Jodrell Bank/Manchester University]
Signatories to the appeal include astronaut Tim Peake and actors Christopher Eccleston and Jeremy Irons, alongside musicians such as Johnny Marr. University of Manchester scientists and public figures including TV scientist Prof Brian Cox warned the decision is “hasty and ill-considered” and described the move as “heartbreaking” and “scientifically misguided”.
British astronaut Tim Peake did a spacewalk at the International Space Station in 2015 [NASA]
"The damage to the UK's science base has already been substantial. I am astonished that UKRI are still ploughing ahead and not working with local and regional leaders to find a solution," said Prof Brian Cox, a particle physicist at the University of Manchester.
UKRI said it must focus investment on projects that deliver the “greatest long-term impact”, but campaigners argue that the observatory's unique capabilities, historical legacy and role in training new generations of astronomers make it a strategic national asset.
What’s at stake
All scientific observations at Jodrell Bank are expected to cease on 1 April 2028 unless alternative funding is found. While 28 jobs are directly at risk at the Cheshire site, closure would disrupt research by nearly 3,000 scientists who currently use the facility and would undermine decades of radio-astronomy heritage spanning almost 70 years.
Campaigners are calling on ministers, UKRI and regional leaders to work together to identify replacement funding and avoid a loss that many warn would be felt across the UK science community.
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