Guidance

Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) newsletter: July 2024

Updated 21 June 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.

July 2024

Exercise WESSEX STORM, consisting of 3 Battle Groups, will be operating across SPTA both day and night. The early part of July will see SPTA west closed for live firing.

Discovery of high explosive in private property on SPTA

Due to a recent discovery of a high explosive WW1 projectile within a private property on Salisbury Plain, the need to remind people of the dangers of such activity (magnet fishing) should only highlight the common sense to leave anything that looks like it could explode well alone.

Do not touch, and please report any such findings to our headquarters as soon as possible.

An extract from the Salisbury Plain Military Lands Byelaws, 1981:

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

3.

Without prejudice to the provisions of byelaw 2, no person when on the Military Lands shall except with the prior permission of the General Officer Commanding the Army District and in accordance with the terms of such permission.

(i) damage, spoil, deface, intertere with or remove any build-ing, wall, fence, gate, post, cattle grid, stores, equipment or ammunition;

(ii) dig or search for any projectile or any lead or other metal, pottery, bottles, or any other thing or interfere with or take or retain or be in possession of any projectile or lead or other metal, pottery, bottles or any other thing found within the Military Lands;

(iii) have in his possession any device for detecting metal.

Useful information

The Headquarters of Salisbury Plain Training Area now has a Facebook page and an X account. The details of which are below:

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

X - @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.

Live firing

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 July 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): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Non-firing days on Larkhill/Westdown danger area: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Non-firing days on Bulford fixed firing ranges: 6, 7, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28

Non-firing days on Warminster fixed firing ranges: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

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

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