Tackling illegal driving on Salisbury Plain
IF WE all follow good practice while out greenlaning it will help to ensure that we can keep enjoying off-roading in some of England’s most beautiful spots for the foreseeable future. More information about SPTA by-laws and public rights of way can be found on the government website (gov.uk/ministryof-defence-byelaws) and most individual council websites, too, and as we’ve said before, the Green Lane Association (glassuk.org ) offers its members access to invaluable information and advice.
There will, of course, always be the odd few that contravene by-laws, so it’s encouraging to see Wiltshire police, together with the MOD, tackling illegal activity on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA). Throughout Operation Aston, Wiltshire Police’s Rural Crime Team, the Special Constabulary, Community Policing Team officers and representatives from the MOD based at SPTA covered large areas on the 94,000 acre plain in 11 vehicles (including two Defenders, one belonging to Wiltshire Police and the other to MOD). Rural Crime Officer Emily Thomas said: “If you are planning to drive on the Plain, remember motor vehicles are still limited to byways open to all traffic. Using an unofficial track or leaving the permitted byways could see you receive a Section 59 warning notice for antisocial or inconsiderate driving, a £50 ticket for driving on an area other than a road, or worse still, having your vehicle seized. To help ensure it is an enjoyable place for everyone, be considerate of others, travel at a quiet and unobtrusive pace, and be aware that the speed limit on the Plain is 30 mph.”
Salisbury Plain is used by the MOD for all manner of military training exercises, including those involving live ammunition (when the red flag is up firing is occurring, by the way). It is incredibly dangerous to drive through areas where troops are training and they’re putting the MOD and themselves at risk, from both the danger of unexploded ordnance and also the very challenging terrain. A large
proportion of the training ground also contains Sites of Special Scientific Interest and scheduled monuments so there’s risk of causing damage to these areas.
With some of these issues having the potential to be exacerbated by the declining weather conditions as we move into winter, hopefully the operation should act as future deterrent helping to educate people about how to safely and lawfully enjoy Salisbury Plain.
More information can be found on the Wiltshire Council website (wiltshire.gov.uk/ recreation-rights-of-way).