Keep tabs on the fire times on the ranges... It all ends on the 11th So you may find 3 Commando Brigade still hanging around!
http://www.tilsheadvillage.com/docs/11-feb-SPTA.pdf
TRAINING ON SPTA
3 Commando Brigade will continue their operational pre- deployment training on Salisbury Plain
until 11 February. The exercise, known as Ex PASHTUN DAGGER, will take place across the
entire length of the Plain and will involve some 2500 troops, 300 tracked and wheeled armoured
vehicles, and both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Large convoys, some in excess of 80 vehicles, will
operate on the training area and there may be some disruption to civilian traffic at tank crossings.
For the period of the exercise there will be no access to the Larkhill Artillery Ranges and
permissive stone tracks in the Tilshead/Chitterne/Shrewton triangle (Copehill Down area) will be
closed in the interest of public safety. Military convoys leaving the Plain at the end of the exercise
may cause some disruption from late afternoon on Friday 11 February until 13 February. During
the week 14 -18 February activity will peak with a Royal School of Artillery young officers exercise
which includes AS90 live firing, a Land Warfare Centre two day armoured exercise, and a
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines major exercise. Finally the Royal Dragoon Guards from
Catterick will deploy onto the Plain with their Challenger 2 tanks to conduct low level training for the
last two weeks of the month.
FIRING NOISE
The main source of noise complaints is the live firing of 155mm AS90 (Artillery System of the 90s)
self propelled guns. The firing is closely managed to ensure that legal noise limits are not
exceeded and disturbance is minimised. Although some may find the noise intrusive, it is well
below legal limits.
Late Firing Days on Larkhill & Westdown Ranges: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th.
Complaints about Firing Noise should be made to (01980) 620819.
MILITARY FLYING
With the increase in training for operations there has been a significant increase in military flying.
Helicopters, Hercules (C130) and fast jets may be active at any time. Dropping Zones (DZ) have
been booked as follows:
Fox Covert & Everleigh Dropping Zones will be active through February 2011.
Complaints about low flying should be made to 0207 218 6020 or e-mail
lowflying@mod.uk.
ACCESS
Access to Salisbury Plain is regulated by Salisbury Plain Military Lands Byelaws and Bulford,
Larkhill and Imber Range Byelaws. This Newsletter is published up to 6 weeks before the event
and urgent training bids may come in subsequently. Always comply with local signs and flags.
Access timings can be found on the SPTA Walks Line: (01980) 67 4763.
Bulford Ranges. A number of public rights of way (PROW) run through Bulford Ranges and are
closed when firing is taking place and red flags are flying. No firing is planned for 5th, 6th, 12th,
13th, 26th, 27th.
Larkhill Ranges. A significant number of public rights PROW run through Larkhill Ranges and are
closed when firing is taking place and flags are flying. The flags may vary in colour (red, red and
yellow or red and white) but all mean “keep outside” the line of signs at that boundary. No firing is
planned for 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th.
Note. In the event of range fires access may be denied to some areas due to the risk of
unexploded ordnance “cooking off”.
Imber. A combination of difficult terrain and unexploded military debris make it hazardous to leave
the marked routes. The public are excluded from Imber Ranges at all times, even if flags are not
flying. The only exception being when the roads through Imber are opened to allow the public to
reduce journey times across Imber Ranges.
Note. Even when the roads are open the village remains out of bounds to the public.
PUBLIC USE OF THE MILITARY LANDS
Offences Causing Most Trouble to Users of SPTA. Currently the greatest problems are:
a. Theft of and from vehicles and theft of metal. Secure your possessions!
b. Criminal damage.
c. “Off Roading” by 4WD and motor cycles.
d. Poaching (including hare coursing).
e. Dog fouling.
What You Can Do to Reduce Crime. You can help by reporting suspicious activity to
PLAINWATCH (01980 674700) (a Ministry of Defence Police intelligence gathering project). The
more information given the better e.g. time place, vehicle registration, description of individuals and
vehicles. If a crime is taking place call 999 and do not challenge the offenders.
Dog Fouling. We have no funds to provide or empty “dog bins” and in large quantities faeces
become hazardous waste but in small amounts can be placed in any rubbish bin if “bagged”. All
we ask is that:
a. Dog walkers stay away from military training.
b. Owners pick up faeces, bag them, take them home and put them in their own bin.
N D LINGE MBE
Lt Col (Retd)
for Commander