We want people to enjoy the military training estate, but it can be a dangerous place if you don't follow the rules. There are a number of ways you can put your life at risk and here's a few of the most common.
Picking up military debris – even though it might explode!
We know that pieces of twisted metal sticking up from the soil look interesting. They might even be the remains of some munitions. This might seem pretty cool...until they blow up in your hands.
![The unexploded ordnance warning signs are very clear. [Crown Copyright, MOD2018]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/04/IMG_1230.jpg)
![Don't touch any military debris you may see. It might be unexploded ordnance. [Crown Copyright, MOD]](https://media.giphy.com/media/MXmdGkWpoLbJhc9EEA/giphy.gif)
You might think your big 4x4 can handle whatever our terrain can throw at it, but some of these tracks are used by armoured and tracked vehicles. Just because a Warrior or Scimitar can get round doesn't mean your car can.
Plenty of people driving on MOD land do so safely and in accordance with the laws. Those who don’t are taking their lives in their hands. If you’re driving on the military training estate, stick to Public Rights of Way or Permissive Rights of Way that are open to the public, and drive sensibly and carefully.
Don’t be like the teenagers who ignored the red flags and rode their quad bikes onto the training estate, popping up just behind the targets as a group of soldiers was about to start firing at them.
Red flags or lights signal that the land is being used for life threatening activities and that public access is completely prohibited. Armoured vehicles, bullets, pyrotechnics and fast moving vehicles are all a threat.
You could probably excuse a lack of knowledge about the dangers in 1941 but in 2018– with better technology and instant access to information – there is no excuse for ignoring the messages that are out there or not being aware of the inherent dangers on the military training estate. Firing times for many sites are posted online, and should be correct, but there are sometimes changes so what you see on the ground takes precedence. If the firing times online say the site is open, but a red flag says it’s closed, it’s closed!
We've heard some interesting excuses for ignoring the rules over the years. Check back next week for a countdown of some of the most ridiculous things people have said when they're caught breaking the rules.
8 comments
Comment by Paul Carter posted on
Great outline on what can happen. We’ve shared and passed the info on to Salisbury Plain 4x4and Wiltshire Byways FB group
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Much appreciated, thank you Paul.
Comment by Matt B posted on
It would be great if there was a campaign for drivers to slow down & show patience around walkers, cyclists and horse riders and adhere to the speed limits. I have been riding & walking around Salisbury Plain for a number of years now and an increasing number of drivers seem to treat it as their own personal racetrack, conducting dangerous overtakes on narrow tracks & roads, with the majority not even bothering to slow down when they come up behind you. This is particularly dangerous, when on the non tarmac tracks and also in poor weather, as you cannot hear them approach.
Thank you to those who are courteous.
Comment by Joan Barnett posted on
I am the editor of a local Parish Magazine and as our readers all live around the edge of the plain and may not necessarily log into your account I have included this timely reminder of yours in this month's issue. I hope it is OK . Not everyone checks your digital content and many people are moving into the area and may not be aware of the danger on the plain.
Looking forward to reading, " some of the most ridiculous things people have said when they're caught breaking the rules" :))
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
Thank you! Please spread the word far and wide!
Comment by george posted on
In the 3rd down illustration / photo - the "knife edge" (where the 4x4 had turned over) is in the top left of the pic - not top right.
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
You're correct, thank you! We've changed it.
Comment by David Natolie posted on
Where is the local contact information for MOD lands around Mytchett namely Mytchett Lake Road GU12 5RQ?
Someone is dumping/ has dumped a large quantity of blue nitrous oxide cylinders just of the road! Been building up for months.