LANING LIFE

by Lauren Eaton

Here at the Green Lane Association we work with all sorts of stakeholders ranging from landowners and managers, to local authorities, the police, and even the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

A lot of this work revolves around education, most of the land we cross is a working environment that requires understanding, respect and care from those who cross it, and arguably none more so than military training areas such as Salisbury Plain Training Area.

Understanding that these areas can go from “calm to combat” from one day, or area, to the next is essential for the safety of the public who are welcome to use these areas for recreational purposes within parameters set out in law, bylaws, training times and military personnel.

We are proud to be working in partnership with the DIO and the MOD to ensure that you can access these areas in a safe and enjoyable manner.

Calm to combat

Our land – full of beauty, splendour and wonder. From lush landscapes to unique wildlife, but here, you never know what’s around the corner. Things can change in the flick of a switch.

The Defence Training Estate is shared land. It’s where families and locals spend time, but it’s also where our armed forces practise live-fire training. It can go from tranquil to treacherous overnight.

Welcome to ‘Respect the Range’ the new campaign that encourages everyone, from families and dog walkers, to hikers, green laners, and mountain bikers, to be mindful of the shared lands and make sure they’re using the training areas only when it is safe to do so.

Working together

Our relationship with Salisbury Plain isn’t new, we have worked with the MOD and DIO to help ensure that the whole area, which is the size of the Isle of Wight, is fully and correctly signposted so that vehicular users know where they can legally drive.

While the byways are clearly signposted, there is more to consider than the legality of a route when it comes to driving on military training estates. Before planning a day out on any training ground it is essential to check the live firing times before setting off to avoid being disappointed that the area you were hoping to drive is currently closed for the safety of recreational users.

Thankfully this information is easy to find here www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access

Enjoying our countryside

With lockdown measures easing many of us are planning to finally get back out into the great outdoors with more freedom than we have enjoyed for a whole year! This is completely understandable of course but the ‘stay safe’ message also still applies.

We are still required to social distance and that is likely to remain in place for some time. While that may not be a difficult thing to manage on an area the size of Salisbury Plain there are still safety considerations that will always apply to such a unique landscape.

What you need to consider before a day on the plains

•Firing times

•Military bylaws

•Flags (daytime) and lamps (night-time) denoting access is prohibited to an area due to training

•The dual-use of the land - you are entering a military estate where live fire occurs

•Other users - everyone is welcome in permitted areas at permitted times and should respect each other and their surroundings when they use them

•Good practice - this shared space can be safely enjoyed by all when guidelines are followed

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation Good Practice Guidelines

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation provides public information to ensure your safety. Here are their good practice guidelines, a full version can be found here.

• Use only BOAT, unclassified and classified roads and permissive MOD roads.

• Give way to military vehicles and personnel. Comply with any directions given to you by military personnel / MOD staff and be prepared to take an alternative route if required.

• Give way to walkers, horse riders and cyclists and be prepared to stop your engine to let them pass.

• Ensure that you and your vehicle are fully road legal. Vehicular access on SPTA PROW and MOD roads is subject to the same regulations that apply to all public roads.

• Keep to the defined track. Areas of SPTA are used for live firing and to leave defined MOD roads or PROW could be extremely dangerous. If the route is not obvious contact Wiltshire Council.

• Travel at a quiet and unobtrusive pace. When travelling in groups keep to a small number: four cars or six bikes maximum. Larger groups should split up and use alternative routes rather than using the same trails to avoid causing excessive damage.

• A speed limit of 30 mph is operated on MOD roads and it is strongly recommended that this is limited to 20 mph when travelling on PROW.

• Pay attention to “The Four Ws”:

• Weather – do not travel on PROW during or following periods of extreme wet weather as they risk being damaged beyond a point of natural recovery. Remember that not all routes are appropriate for vehicle use at all times.

• Weight – Do not use PROW that may be seriously damaged by the wheel pressure of your vehicle.

• Width – Do not use PROW that are too narrow for your vehicle. Avoid damage to trees, hedgerows and boundaries.

• Winches – The use of winches on PROW or MOD roads is inappropriate and should not be required.

• Follow the Countryside Code.

• Remember that wildlife faces many threats and PROW can be valuable habitats. Take special care in spring and early summer.

Useful links

To report suspicious or dangerous activity please call the SPTA HQ Ops Room on 01980 674951 email: DTEOpsRoomSouthWest@landmarc.mod.uk

MOD Firing times - 01980 674763 - www.gov.uk/government/collections/firing-notice

SPTA Byelaws - www.gov.uk/ministry-of-defence-byelaws

SPTA Newsletter - www.gov.uk/government/publications/salisbury-plain-training-area-spta-newsletter

Wiltshire PROW - www.wiltshire.gov.uk/recreation-rights-of-way

Countryside Code - www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code

Don’t forget that if you’re a member of the Green Lane Association you can contact the Wiltshire Rep. for help and guidance too.

That’s all from us this month folks! We sincerely hope that you are able to finally enjoy some much needed time in the countryside now that lockdown measures are starting to ease. Remember that we’re always here if you need further information on legal green laning routes in any part of the UK.

If you are interested in joining us, or getting involved with the work that we do in any capacity, you can join or find more information at www.glass-uk.org.

Happy laning and stay safe! Lauren x