Guidance

Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) newsletter: July 2019

Updated 31 July 2019

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Is there any such thing as a standard month on SPTA?

Although there are no, what we would call “major exercises” taking place, there are lots of smaller events taking place across SPTA throughout the month. It is moderately busy with an average of 20 x units a day training. We continue to maintain control of wildfires with the new policies in place and we are compliant with the Natural Hazard Partnership and their Daily Hazard Assessment. Units are encouraged to engage in first aid fire fighting only, to prevent the spread of fire without putting anyone in danger. The public are asked to refrain from lighting fires at all on the training are in line with the current Byelaws. We were recently engaged in a, combined operation with Wiltshire Police and Ministry of Defence Police in order to reduce the amount of illegal activity that takes place on the Plain, ranging from incursions to illegal motorbikes and 4 x 4 vehicles; a successful Sunday outing!

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

There are 2 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 - the links can be found below:

How to risk your life on the military training estate

Six ridiculous excuses for risking your life on the training estate

Monthly firing calendar for June 2019 (subject to change)

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

Late firing days on Larkhill/Westdown danger area (north of Larkhill)
2 July
4 July
6 July
9 July
11 July
16 July
18 July
23 July
25 July

Non-firing days on Larkhill/Westdown danger area
13 July
14 July
20 July
21 July
27 July
28 July
29 July
30 July
31 July

Non-firing days on Bulford fixed firing ranges
13 July
14 July
20 July
21 July
27 July
28 July

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

Nil

Note: Centre closed PM on the 26 Jul to AM on the 19 Aug.

Byelaw Governance: Antisocial Behaviour

Parish members are encouraged to report all illegal activity on Salisbury Plain to the Wiltshire Police. If serious 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 flying please call 101 and list the call as ‘antisocial behaviour’ and a byelaw violation. Once reported please inform 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.

Note: MOD Police based here at Salisbury Plain have issued an official warning to a member of the public that was discovered in an Out of Bounds area of SPTA. This area was controlled by flags and signs.

Imber Ranges

The public are excluded at all times, except when the roads are specifically opened. Planned opening dates for 2019 are as follows:

Serial	Day/Date/Time Roads Open	Day/Date/Time Roads Closed	Remarks
01	Weds/14 Aug 19/6pm	Tues/20 Aug/8am	Summer and Imber bus weekend
02	Fri/27 Dec 19/8am	Thurs/2 Jan 20/8am

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

Dates may change if operational training needs dictate.

Governance

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. Under section 3(1(d)) no person may “engage in or carry on any trade or business of any kind whatsoever…” To do so may result in a Warning Off, whereby you will be asked to leave the training area or a fine being issued.

This means for example commercial dog walkers are not permitted to conduct their commercial activities on military lands without prior permission, (meaning a commercial licence issued by the MOD). This does not affect your right to use public rights of way, but you are reminded that you are expected to have your dog(s) under effective control, as advised by the Countryside Code and must not interfere with military training.

Notice commercial dog walkers

The first set of formal guidance for commercial dog walkers, endorsed by the Dogs Trust, the Pet Industry Federation and RSPCA is now available online: Professional Dog Walkers’ Guidelines
The document aims to promote and establish best practice, help commercial dog walkers meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and raise awareness of other considerations they may have to make.

Some general points:

• dog walkers must pick up faeces from all dogs in their care and ensure this is appropriately sealed and disposed of in suitable dustbins following the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996

• dog walkers should have sufficient poo bags on them at all times for the numbers of dogs they are exercising. These measures are endorsed by Headquarters Salisbury Plain Training Area

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