Guidance

Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) newsletter: December 2024

Updated 19 November 2024

The DIO runs an X (previously Twitter) account for news and updates on the Salisbury Plain Training Area using the Twitter hashtag #modontheplain. This account now has over 7,000 followers. If you would like to follow us, visit www.twitter.com/mod_dio.

December 2024

The final phases of unit and schools training will take place by early December. There will be little military activity after 13 December.

New online guidance will help horse riders stay safe when riding on Salisbury Plain Training Area

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and British Horse Society have teamed up to promote safe off-road horse-riding opportunities on the UK Defence Training Estate, including Salisbury Plain’s Imber Range Perimeter Path. 

A brand new ‘Riding on MOD land’ page on the British Horse Society’s website has been published, containing information about accessible riding routes, along with guidance on how to stay safe when riding on MOD sites. 

Horse riders will be able to visit the webpage, along with the public safety information that is available on the GOV.UK website, to get details on where to ride safely, information about restrictions to accessing MOD land, and to access links to check firing times before heading out onto the Defence estate. The new webpage also contains clear and easy to digest guidance about hazards that can be faced on MOD land, along with general safety hints and tips for horse riders wishing to make use of the fantastic scenery and network of off-road routes that can be experienced across MOD sites. 

The Imber Range Perimeter Path on Salisbury Plain offers a 50km mixed terrain route which follows the perimeter of the Imber Firing Range Danger Area, with fantastic views of the Westbury White Horse.

Before setting off, make sure you’re confident and experienced in riding in remote areas and varied terrain (including stone tracks) and expect to come across agricultural and military activities from time to time.

Horsebox parking options are available at the Westbury White Horse or opposite Tilshead Water Tower. However, please be aware that parking around the Tilshead Water Tower is accessed by permission only and may be unavailable due to military training. 

James Nevitt, Senior Public Access & Recreation Advisor, Defence Infrastructure Organisation said: 

While the primary use of MOD land is to enable military training, we are committed to maintaining publicly accessible areas, some of which provide ideal horse-riding opportunities. 

We encourage horse riders to access MOD land when and where it is safe to do so, and we’re excited to be working with the British Horse Society to increase awareness of how to access our estate safely. We hope this guidance is well received and that riders continue to enjoy using MOD land.

Useful information

The Headquarters of Salisbury Plain Training Area now has a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HQSalisburyPlainTrainingArea/

Twitter account @HQSPTA

Please join and follow us.  

We encourage estate users to report illegal activity. Call 999 for emergencies, but for other suspected illegal activity on Salisbury Plain Training Area, contact the Ministry of Defence Police on 01371 854444. A detachment is permanently based on Salisbury Plain and will respond.

Related information: Gov.uk/DIO

There are two recent Defence Infrastructure Organisation blogs that relate to keeping safe whilst legally using the Military Lands on Salisbury Plain, please take the time to read them:

How to risk your life on the military training estate

Six ridiculous excuses for risking your life on the training estate

Accessing SPTA safely

Accessing MOD land carries risks to your personal safety. Our Respect the Range guidance sets out simple steps you can take when visiting SPTA to help keep you and our armed forces safe:

• look out for red flags – used to indicate live firing is taking place
• check armed forces training and firing times before visiting
• pay attention to signage, information displays and red flags
• stick to public footpaths, bridleways and byways
• do not touch any military debris – report its location for safe disposal

The MOD are custodians of some of the most dramatic landscapes and coastlines in the UK, including SPTA. Much of this land is accessible to the public, but the spaces are used for essential military training. Have you checked the local area?

The MOD encourage you to discover SPTA, however it’s important that you only access the land when and where it is safe to do so. This changes from hour to hour, so always check before visiting and be aware of the live indicators (flags, lights, signage and information displays).

Our armed forces train year-round, at all times of the day. High-paced tactical training exercises often include the use of armoured vehicles, artillery and Defence personnel. Just because you can’t hear or see the training doesn’t mean it’s not taking place. In recent years, more and more people are putting themselves at risk by accessing the land while the armed forces carry out training.

Your safety is our top priority. Help us keep you safe by following Respect the Range guidance.

Important information

SPTA has no dedicated live firing times. Members of the public are reminded not to access the byways when the red flags are flying and the danger - live firing or no public entry signs are displayed.

Members of the public are reminded when on land subject to the Salisbury Plain Military Lands Byelaws 1981 (S.I.1981/1982) under Byelaw 5 it is an offence to fail to comply with the provisions of Byelaw 3, in that it is an offence to use a motor vehicle other than on a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) or Permissive BOAT.

Under section 3(1(c)) no person may “ride a horse, bicycle or tricycle or ride, drive or propel a motor vehicle of any kind, otherwise than on the carriageway or a road suitably constructed and made up for general use by vehicular traffic.”

To do so may result in a Warning Off, whereby you will be asked to leave the training area and a s59 (of the Police Reform Act 2002) warning letter issued or a fine being issued.

Monthly firing calendar for December 2024 (subject to late changes)

Artillery live firing days from areas 6, 7 and 8 (East of Chitterne): NIL

Artillery live firing days on Salisbury plain (East) (North of Bulford & West of Tidworth): NIL

Live firing days on Larkhill/Westdown danger area (North of Larkhill): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Non-firing days on Larkhill/Westdown danger area: 1, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Non-firing days on Bulford fixed firing ranges: 1, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Non-firing days on Warminster fixed firing ranges: 6, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Live firing days on Imber ranges, areas 1, 2, 3, 4 (East of Warminster) NIL

Range opening times for the dates above (Subject to short notice changes)

• Monday: 9am - 5pm
• Tuesday: 9am – 11.30pm
• Wednesday: 9am – 5pm
• Thursday: 9am – 11.30pm
• Friday: 9am – 5pm
• Saturday: 9am – 11.30pm
• Sunday: 9am – 1pm

Byelaw governance – antisocial behaviour

Parish members are encouraged to report all illegal activity on Salisbury Plain including illegal off-roading, illegal motor biking, drone use, poaching, hare coursing, petty theft, camping on MOD land and kite flying to the Ministry of Defence Police on 01371 854444. If a serious crime is experienced 999 should be dialled.

Access

Salisbury Plain Military Lands, Bulford, Larkhill and Imber Range Byelaws regulate access to SPTA; always comply with local signs and flags.

Rights of way in Range Danger Areas are closed when red flags are flying or when the signage restricts unauthorised access.

This newsletter is published up to 6 weeks before the event and changes may occur.

Access timings for the following week can be found on the SPTA Walks Line: (01980) 674763.

MOD Byelaws Wiltshire

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