The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Barry Buddon range is branded a ‘death trap’
Glasgow Commonwealth Games shooting events, is a popular coastal spot with walkers, and adjacent to the worldfamous Carnoustie golf links.
Unite regional officer Bob Middleton has demanded answers from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and claimed life-threatening incidents have already occurred.
“This important safety issue is no longer subject to discussion as Landmarc do not have enough employees to now cover all of the ranges that used to be covered under the Vanguard contract,” said Mr Middleton.
“Earlier last week a group of Gurkha soldiers, who were using the ranges at Hythe in Kent, decided to walk down the range they were using to the foreshore.
“The range next to them was still being used. They were, therefore, in the arc of fire and could have been injured or killed.”
He added: “Had there been a range warden stationed at the range they would have been able to monitor the users’ behaviour, as they have always done and stop any unsafe practices.
“This incident was formally recorded and is just one of several incidents ... over the past few months.
“I am requesting the DIO review the decision to remove the range wardens from the ranges.”
Mr Middleton continued: “The firing ranges have become death traps because the wardens, who used to look out for people inadvertently walking into the line of fire, have been withdrawn as part of Landmarc’s cost-cutting agenda rubber stamped by the defence ministry.
“We wrote to defence secretary Michael Fallon on this issue, but received no direct reply.
“Yet, a family with young children out walking the family labrador could take a wrong turn and be blown to smithereens because of the Government’s privatisation agenda.
“Cost cutting can’t come before public safety. We urge ministers to order a rethink on what is happening – the public demands no less.”
The Landmarc website states: “Our operational DNA is further enriched by a decade long partnership with the Ministry of Defence in the UK to ensure their military training estates are safe, effective and sustainable places to train the armed forces.”