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MOD reminds public to stay safe and help protect Longmoor

The summer holidays may have come to an end, but many locals and visitors will continue to enjoy using the public rights of way around Longmoor training area for leisure and recreation.

As an area with an abundance of flora and fauna – including many rare and protected species – the MOD is keen to remind visitors and local people to respect and help protect the site, and help maintain the balance between military activity, public safety, and conservation.

Longmoor range and training areas are located to the west of Liphook in Hampshire with the town of Bordon to the north and the village of Greatham to the west. The 1,800 or so hectares of land consists of a mixture of lowland heathland, conifer and broad-leaved woodland, mire, scrub and acid grassland supporting a wide range of fauna and flora.

Much of the area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and forms part of the European designated Wealden Heaths Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation.

The Longmoor Range Danger Area (RDA) is used for live firing all year round. The public are permitted to access the RDA when it is not being used for military training as stated in the Aldershot and District Military Byelaws. It is not safe to access the RDA when the red flags are flying, or red lights are showing. Cycling is restricted to public bridleways.

The public safety message comes as part of Respect the Range, a campaign designed to raise the public’s awareness and understanding of the risks to personal safety when accessing military land. Risks to public safety can include live firing, unexploded ordnance (UXO), pyrotechnics and fast-moving military vehicles.

MOD land is primarily used for military training, and although visitors are welcome, the key take-away from the campaign is that you should only access MOD land when and where it is safe to do so.

Safety remains the MOD’s top priority and two key risks that the MOD is specifically keen to highlight are the danger from UXO and risk to life when entering areas where live firing and military training are taking place.

Dean Howard, the Security and Public Access Manager (SE) said:

“Longmoor is a popular destination for members of the public using the Defence Training Estate for open air recreation, we’d like to remind the public of the potential risks, as well as the actions they can take to keep themselves safe.

“Longmoor is one of the most beautiful parts of Hampshire. All users are asked to observe and comply with the safety signs and remain in the designated areas and on marked, cleared paths.

“When military training is taking place, there could be a risk to the public from live fire. Red boundary flags are flown when live firing is taking place, and we ask that people don’t access the Range unless the permissive paths are open. We also ask that people don’t pick up anything that they may see or find, but that instead they report it.

“If we all work together to use these spaces with respect and consideration, the public will stay safe, and our Armed Forces will be protected during their important training exercises.”

With a recent increase in mountain bikers and motorcyclists straying from the public bridleways, the MOD is asking members of the public to keep an eye out for people damaging the Defence Estate.  Leaving the bridleways in these areas on bikes or motorcycles could damage the fragile and protected habitats in the area. They ask that if you spot anything suspicious you report it to the local police on 101.

To ensure the public stay safe and protected while using military land, the MOD is encouraging all visitors to Longmoor to:

• Always check training and live firing times before they travel;
• Observe safety information including red flags, fences, signs and byelaws;
• Stick to public rights of way such as footpaths and bridleways, and permissive paths.
• Always keep dogs under control and in sight, and remember to pick up after them;
• Report military debris for safe disposal; don’t touch it.

Local people and visitors who are planning to visit the area  are urged to make sure they follow the MOD’s guidance to keep themselves and their loved ones safe: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access