Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) newsletter: December 2018

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December 2018 Newsletter

December will be a quiet month. There are infantry trials taking place between 1-14 December on west and centre of SPTA and 2 reconnaissance courses finishing on 19 December. Firing finishes in the centre on 14 December with all training finished from 21 December when the range closes for the Christmas break and reopens on 7 January 2019.

Please report all concerns to the Complaints Help Desk on 01980 620819 in the first instance.

 There are two recent Defence Infrastructure Organisation blogs that relate to keeping safe whilst legallyusing the Military Lands on Salisbury Plain, please take the time to read them – the links can be found below:

Monthly firing calendar for Dec 2018 (subject to change)

1. Artillery live firing days from areas 6, 7 and 8 (east of Chitterne): Nil
2. Artillery live firing days on Salisbury plain (east) (north of Bulford & west of Tidworth): Nil
3. Late firing days on Larkhill/Westdown danger area (north of Larkhill): 04, 06, 08, 11, 13
4. Non-firing days on Larkhill/Westdown danger area:
   01, 02, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
5. Non-firing days on Bulford fixed firing ranges:
   01, 02, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

6. Late firing days on Imber ranges, areas 1, 2, 3, 4 (east of Warminster) 01

Note: Live firing in Areas 1,2,3 & 4 on weekend 01 & 02 December. Byelaw Governance – Antisocial Behaviour

Parish members are encouraged to report all illegal activity on Salisbury plain to the Wiltshire Police. Ifserious crime is experienced 999 should be dialled, and for all other reports including: illegal off-roading,illegal motor biking, drone use, poaching, hare coursing, petty theft, camping on MoD land, kite flyingplease call 101 and list the call as ‘antisocial behaviour’ and a byelaw violation. Once reported pleaseinform range control on the Plainwatch number: 01980 674700 or email PLAINWATCH@landmarc.mod.uk.

Access

Access to SPTA is regulated by Salisbury Plain Military Lands, Bulford, Larkhill and Imber Range Byelaws. Always comply with local signs and flags. Rights of way in Range Danger Areas are closed when red flags are flying.
This newsletter is published up to 6 weeks before the event and changes may occur. Access timings for the next week can be found on the SPTA Walks Line: (01980) 674763.

Imber Ranges. The public are excluded at all times, except when the roads are specifically opened. Planned opening dates for 2018 are as follows

Event Open Closed

Christmas 1800hrs Thur 27 Dec 18 0800hrs Wed 02 Jan 19

A leaflet on public access to Imber is available online and should be read in advance of any visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment data/file/435909/Imber A5 Leaflet- final Online version.pdf

Note. Dates may change if operational training needs dictate.

What Can You Do To Reduce Crime On Salisbury Plain?

There has been an increase of thefts from motor vehicles that have been left unattended on the training area. Owners are reminded not to leave valuables in plain sight. If any crime is taking place call 999, (or 101) and do not under any circumstances challenge the offenders.

Health and Safety reminder for ALL Military Training Areas and Ranges:

• Do not touch or tamper with Military debris.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Clean your footwear before you enter your car or home. ROAD SAFETY – TANK CROSSINGS During the Autumn and Winter months tank crossings can become muddy from military and agricultural vehicles, and become a significant hazard to drivers. T
• The MoD do as much as possible to ensure tank crossings are free from mud and debris, but on occasion some affected areas are missed. Headquarters SalisburyPlain Training Area encourage members of the public to report mud on crossings to the enquiries line on 01980674700 or call the Landmarc National Service Centre on 08000223334.
• PLEASE SLOW DOWN WHEN APPROACHING A TANK CROSSING.

TRAINING AREA GOVERNANCE
SALISBURY PLAIN MILITARY LANDS Byelaws 1981 states;

USE OF LANDS BY PUBLIC

8. Subject to the provisions of these byelaws and when the Military Lands are not being used for themilitary purposes for which they are appropriated, the public may use the Military Lands for
recreational purposes.

This means that members of the public are only permitted to use SalisburyPlain Training Area when the military are not present, and subject to the Byelaws of the area.

Chris Shears
Major (Training Safety Officer) for
Senior Training Safety Officer Salisbury Plain Training Area