Traffic Management for Airshows at IWM Duxford

Traffic management at air shows and flying days is one of the biggest and most important contracts IWM has for the safe running of the flying season. IWM Duxford is situated in a complex space for traffic management, with all car parks feeding out onto an increasingly busy main A road, with the M11 motorway located less than 500m from our main car parks. Traffic management is one of the biggest areas of feedback at events, so any poor performance would directly impact the visitor experience and sales for future events.

In 2026, following a competitive tender for a one year contract, Chevron Traffic Management Limited were awarded the contract. We are now at a point when we need to look at the contract for future years, and following this process, and the work undertaken over the last year, it has become highly evident that specialised experienced is required to run a contract of this nature, and there is a very limited field of contractors who could perform this role.

Following the 2026 tender, there were limited companies interested in working with IWM on the delivery of traffic management, and only Chevron had the necessary experience at similar events to deliver our requirements. During 2026, the Air Show Manager has worked closely with Chevron to assist them in building an understanding of the site and the events we run. They have a good understanding of IWM and the complexities of area we are in.

We will be making a contract award to Chevron for the following reasons:

1. Due to the impact of changes to IWM Duxford over the next few years, traffic management at shows will need to change to accommodate a revamped site in 2028. This will mean close work with an experienced company, who understand the Duxford site.
2. Due to their experience Chevron are looking to propose improvements that can be made to next year's management, which should bring IWM benefits around the safe delivery and the reputation of the shows via visitors being able to access and ingress the site in an easier manner.
3. A key learning from the 2026 season (the first change in traffic management for some years), was how long it can take to have a new supplier integrated into the event with the local authority and the police. Preexisting relationships held by Chevron helped this year, but a new supplier may not hold this type of relationship and therefore may not have time to get the accreditation required. This could risk the delivery of the entire event.
4. A key part of this contract is working with key stakeholders and partner agencies; by selecting a supplier who has these relationships already, we can begin work on both improvements for the 2027 season and begin the crucial work for 2028. It is important this work starts as soon as possible as it requires liaison with external agencies.
5. Chevron have a strong existing relationship with the local council and National Highways, which makes the planning and delivery of events more cost effective. Moving forward, local authority confidence in our supplier will make proposed changes more straightforward and will reduce risk.

In summation the contract award will reduce the risk of poor traffic management (road traffic accidents, long queues, cancellation of flying, abuse of staff), reduce the risk of loss of sales generated by airshows to IWM, guard against reputational damage with both visitors and the local council / police, and ensure no risk to the Duxford event licence being withdrawn.