MOD urges walkers and climbers to Respect the Range

The campaign aims to raise the public’s awareness and understanding of the very real risks to personal safety when using military land, including to all walkers and climbers who use it.

These risks include live firing, unexploded ordnance and fast-moving military vehicles. In recent years training estate staff have reported an increase in visitors straying from public footpaths and rights of way on military training areas, endangering their own lives as well as anyone who is with them, including children and pets.

To protect yourself and stay safe while using military land, visitors are being asked to make sure they check training times before they travel and to observe safety information including red flags, signs and byelaws while they are there.

Brigadier Jonathan Bartholomew, DIO’s Head of Overseas Region and the Defence Training Estate, said:

"The MOD supports access to military land and respects the public’s enthusiasm for wanting to explore it. In return, this campaign asks everyone to respect the very real dangers associated with doing so. Whether they’re dog walkers, mountain bikers or ramblers, everyone must stick to public access routes and check live training and firing times before heading out."

“If a red flag is flying then access to that area is prohibited, as some form of training will be taking place. By abiding by these simple rules, everyone has a part to play in helping to ensure that we can all enjoy the land safely, and the military can train uninterrupted.”

For more information on accessing the training estate safely, see Accessing the training estate safely - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).