The Ministry of Defence is working with a new partner on its Respect the Range campaign to raise awareness of safe, responsible access to military training areas.
The department has collaborated with The Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) to promote safe access to Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA), one of the UK’s most important military training environments.
The campaign features a series of social media videos highlighting the importance of military training, environmental protection and public safety.
The videos focus on the primary purpose of Salisbury Plain Training Area as a military training estate, demonstrating the scale, intensity and complexity of the activity undertaken to prepare Armed Forces personnel for operations. It also highlights the impact that interruptions from members of the public can have on military readiness and training delivery.
Through the collaboration, the TRF provides a strong example of how parts of the estate can be accessed responsibly, showing how its members engage with the training area safely and underlining the importance of safety awareness, compliance, and personal responsibility.
In addition, the videos highlight the nationally important ecology of Salisbury Plain Training Area, including protected habitats and wildlife that irresponsible access can negatively impact, often causing irreversible damage to flora and fauna.
Lt Col Jamie Powell, Senior Training Safety Officer SPTA, said, "Salisbury Plain Training Area plays a vital role in preparing our Armed Forces for operations and deployment; training that can be many months in the planning. Every time training is interrupted it creates delay, additional costs and potentially results in vital training being missed.
"By working with responsible user groups such as the Trail Riders Fellowship, we're able to demonstrate that safe and responsible public access can be achieved whilst respecting the land’s primary military use.”
Graeme Collins, Chair of the Trail Riders Fellowship, said, "Our members value continued access to Salisbury Plain Training Area and recognise the importance of respecting its military purpose. We're pleased to support this campaign and help promote safe, responsible use of the training estate."
When accessing SPTA, the public is reminded to always:
- Follow all signs and safety information, including red flags, and adhere to instructions from military safety staff
- Check firing times and local access information online before visiting
- Stick to public rights of way; do not enter restricted areas
- Keep dogs under control, in sight and always pick up after them
- Do not touch any military debris and report it for safe removal.
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