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HEADQUARTERS SALISBURY PLAIN TRAINING AREAWestdown Camp, Tilshead, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 4RS
29 April 2011 |
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SALISBURY PLAIN TRAINING AREA (SPTA)
NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2011
Salisbury Plain Maps. The latest maps of Salisbury Plain are Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer Series: Salisbury & Stonehenge (Sheet 130) 2009: Warminster & Trowbridge (Sheet 143) 2010.
TRAINING ON SPTA
Activity on Salisbury Plain in April will peak in the first 10 days with armoured infantry and armoured reconnaissance training, two logistic exercises and Ex FINAL STRIKE (Land Warfare Centre Fire Support Group). On 6 and 7 April the LWS Armoured Division course will conduct Ex FIRST VIEW with Challenger 2 on SPTA West. The rest of April will be relatively quiet, the only significant training being two reconnaissance regiments, the Queens Royal Lancers in CVRT, and the Light Dragoons in armoured Landrovers. Following the Easter Bank Holiday 2 Royal Welsh will deploy onto SPTA West with a Warrior armoured infantry company and a 26 Engineer Regiment close support squadron will use SPTA East for low level armoured training.
FIRING NOISE
The main source of noise complaints is the firing of 155mm AS90 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: 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 28th.
Complaints about Firing Noise should be made to (01980) 620819.
MILITARY FLYING
Helicopters, Hercules (C130) and fast jets may be active at any time. Fox Covert & Everleigh Dropping Zones will be active throughout.
Complaints about low flying should be made to 0207 218 6020 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
ACCESS
Access to Salisbury Plain is regulated by Salisbury Plain Military Lands 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. Public rights of way through Bulford Ranges are closed when red flags are flying. No firing is planned for 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 23rd, 24th, 30th.
Larkhill Ranges. Public rights of way through Larkhill Ranges are closed when red flags are flying. No firing is planned for 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th.
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 tarmac roads. The public are excluded from Imber Ranges at all times except when the roads are opened to reduce journey times across Imber Ranges. Over Easter the roads will be open from 1600hrs on Thursday 21st April to 0800hrs Tuesday 26th April.
We will publish dates on which roads through Imber will be open as soon as we can. We are still investigating the following:
1. August Bank Holiday Weekend.
2. A weekend in September to celebrate St Giles’s Day. – To be determined.
3. The celebration of Remembrance Day on a day in November. – To be determined.
4. Christmas from mid-December to early January.
Note. Even when the roads are open the village remains out of bounds to the public.
UPCOMING MAJOR EXERCISES. During the following major exercises access may be restricted on Larkhill Ranges and in the Chitterne – Shrewton – Tilshead Triangle north of the B390.
Ex LIONSTRIKE 28 Mar – 1 Apr & 16 – 20 May
Ex PASHTUN DAWN 24 Jul – 22 Aug
Ex LIONSTRIKE 26 Sep – 30 Sep
Ex WESSEX THUNDER 13 Nov – 27 Nov
PUBLIC USE OF THE MILITARY LANDS
Offences Causing Most Trouble to Users of SPTA. Currently the greatest problems are:
a. Illegal “Off Roading” by 4WD and motor cycles i.e. not on metalled roads or byways, or without Road Tax, MOT or Insurance
b. Criminal damage.
c. Theft of and from vehicles and theft of metal.
d. Poaching (including hare coursing).
What You Can Do to Reduce Crime. Please report suspicious activity to PLAINWATCH (01980 674700). The more information received 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 for “dog bins”. In large quantities faeces are hazardous waste but 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. For those who object to removing faeces, please “Google” Toxicara Canis.
N D LINGE MBE
Lt Col (Retd)
for Commander