MOD and Trail Riders Fellowship Join Forces to Enhance Safe Access to Salisbury Plain Training Area

The department has joined forces with the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) to enhance safe access to the Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA), a key military training environment in the UK.

This initiative includes a series of social media videos that underscore the significance of military training, environmental preservation, and public safety.

The videos specifically highlight the primary function of the Salisbury Plain Training Area as a military training estate, illustrating the scale, intensity, and complexity of activities conducted to prepare Armed Forces personnel for operational readiness. Additionally, they draw attention to the potential disruptions caused by public interference, which can adversely affect military preparedness and the execution of training programmes.

Promoting Responsible Access

Through this collaboration, the TRF exemplifies how certain areas of the estate can be accessed in a responsible manner, showcasing the safe engagement of its members with the training area. This partnership emphasises the importance of safety awareness, compliance, and personal accountability.

The videos also bring to light the nationally significant ecology of the Salisbury Plain Training Area, including protected habitats and wildlife that suffer from the adverse effects of irresponsible access, often leading to irreversible harm to both flora and fauna.

Importance of Military Training

Lt Col Jamie Powell, Senior Training Safety Officer at SPTA, remarked on the critical role of the training area in preparing Armed Forces personnel for deployment, highlighting that training sessions can take months to organise. He stated, “Every time training is interrupted, it creates delays and additional costs, potentially leading to essential training being overlooked.”

He further noted that by collaborating with responsible user groups like the Trail Riders Fellowship, it is possible to demonstrate that safe and responsible public access can coexist with the training area’s primary military function.

Community Commitment to Safety

Graeme Collins, Chair of the Trail Riders Fellowship, expressed appreciation for the continued access to the Salisbury Plain Training Area, acknowledging the necessity of respecting its military usage. He stated, “We are pleased to support this campaign and assist in promoting the safe and responsible use of the training estate.”

Members of the public are reminded to always:

• Follow all signs and safety information, including red flags, and adhere to instructions from military safety personnel.
• Check firing times and local access information online before visiting.
• Stick to public rights of way and avoid entering restricted areas.
• Keep dogs under control, in sight, and ensure to clean up after them.
• Not touch any military debris and report it for safe removal.