IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

(Our last Games will be Easter Weekend; Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of April 2023)

Many of you are aware that HS2 (High Speed Rail 2) are building a rail line from London to Birmingham.
The announcement and realisation that we would be affected by this rail project goes back to 2014 and since then I have been working VERY hard to minimise the impact it will have to one of the best Airsoft Sites in the UK!
I went to Parliament in 2015 and explained that although I do not oppose HS2 in principle, there must be a way that they can plan their works so we can still operate as usual. HS2 are building a “cut and cover” tunnel right outside our Site and need to dig up the access road leading to Coms Site 3. They have also taken land from us, forcing us to relocate the original Safe Zone.
Initially, HS2 were very supportive and we started to make plans for a New Safe Zone and access road to the Site.
Years have flown by and things have changed considerably… I have spent 100’s of hours with emails, maps, finances, plans, online meetings, phone calls and Site meetings, however, plans started to make a turn for the worse.
We had to move from our original Safe Zone in 2021. I quickly re-mapped the Site and moved our old Safe Zone to the other Side of the Land so we can keep running. This has given us another Year and a half of Games!
There is only so much I can do but HS2 are ultimately in charge of what will happen. They are after all, backed by Government.

Sadly, I have FAILED.

Yesterday, HS2 have officially written to me to confirm that they will be closing the access track to our Site from week commencing the 11th of April for approximately 2 Years.
They will NOT be providing an alternative access road and have tried to seek permission to gain access through private land without success.

What does this mean? R.I.F.T. Airsoft Coms Site 3 will TEMPORARILY CLOSE for approx. 2 years from the 11th of April.

R.I.F.T. Airsoft’s tenancy is UNAFFECTED (yes, I still have to pay my Rent!) and we still have a very long contract on the Land, so we will be back as soon as HS2 reinstate the track road to the Site (some time in 2025?)
We will secure permission to walk across the adjoining land and carry out MONTHLY Maintenance on the Site which will include upgrading and adding new defences and features. When we reopen, the Site will be even better than it is right now!
I know some of you live local to the Site and it will come as a blow for you to read this announcement.
We are still very lucky to have 3 other Sites for you to enjoy and we are working VERY hard to find new Sites for you to play, so please don’t think your Membership or attendance isn’t appreciated.
The Nearest R.I.F.T. Airsoft Site to Coms Site 3 is REDCON-2 (Abingdon OX13 6BX) and we also have The BOMB DUMP in Hampshire (SO20 8DY) and The RIDGE near LUTON (MK45 4LG)

Our last Games will be Easter Weekend (Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of April 2023)
I would personally like to extend my gratitude to the THOUSANDS of people who have played at this Site since we opened in July 2012. We have met some amazing people. Many friends, relationships and memories!
Other than Skirmish, we have run Zombie Games and Rift Sim (Battle Sim) Events. ASG EVO & Blaster Tour, Competitions, Fancy Dress, Stag, Corporate Events, Halloween and much more!
The Site is part of our DNA and it put Rift Airsoft on the Map in terms of a great value for money Airsoft Site to play!

To say I am upset and sad to write this message to you all is an understatement. I was going to record a Video but I doubt I would be able to compose myself for too long and say the words “we have to close”, so, here is a wall of text instead!

So, booking will open for Easter Weekend on Monday the 27th of March. I will slightly increase the number of players for this weekend so we can really go out with a BANG!
I will also allow the Marshals to play along Side you on Sunday the 9th (yes, me included!) as a little treat.

It’s not the end… it’s a pause. We will post updates as we add things to the land but in the meantime, I would like to thank you ALL for your support, loyalty and friendship over the 10 AMAZING Years we have had at Coms Site 3.
From me, (Tony) and all of the Staff at Rift Airsoft, we thank you wholeheartedly.

Tony – R.I.F.T. HQ.
If you have any contacts for suitable Land for Rent please let me know!
tony@riftairsoft.com