The MOD has made a number of different claims over the last year regarding its reasons for closure of the Ash Range floors. Upon closer inspection, these claims have been shown to be at best misleading and at worst, disingenuous. This is what they have said:
WHAT THE MOD HAVE SAID:
“The cost of vandalism is too high when the public have access – it has cost us £170,000 to repair damage done by vandals”
OUR RESPONSE:
If vandalism is the reason for closure, show us the evidence of
the cost, and that the solution of closure has been effective.
WHAT WE HAVE UNCOVERED:
Vandalism on the ranges has, regrettably occasionally occurred–as it does in any community on both public and private land. However:
WHAT THE MOD HAVE SAID:
“We have lost too many training hours as a result of vandalism and other unauthorized access”
OUR RESPONSE:
Why is the MOD saying they have lost training hours when their own records show that this is unequivocally not the case?
WHAT WE HAVE UNCOVERED:
We have submitted a number of Freedom of Information requests on this topic – in this case requesting access to the range logs. Range logs keep a detailed record of the activities that take place on the ranges including any training that may have been disrupted and the reasons why
WHAT THE MOD HAVE SAID:
“We are concerned about public health & safety. The range floors are dangerous places, and we don’t want any injuries to occur to members of the public”
OUR RESPONSE:
Why does the MOD claim that public safety is a concern when there is no evidence that there are any issues?
WHAT WE HAVE UNCOVERED:
This claim is particularly difficult to unpick, as in one sense, it is so unanswerable. We have therefore examined the topic of health & safety from a number of different angles:
ARE THE RANGES SAFE?
BUT WHAT ABOUT PROTECTING THE PUBLIC IN THE FUTURE?
WHAT THE MOD HAVE SAID:
“We are concerned about public health & safety. The range floors are dangerous places, and we don’t want any injuries to occur to members of the public”
OUR RESPONSE:
There has not been any change in the use or make up of the Ranges for decades. Why now is it a problem? Why do other ranges remain open when Ash Ranges is closed with the same dangers?
WHAT WE HAVE UNCOVERED:
ARE THE RANGES SAFE THAN THE ALTERNATIVES?
WHAT THE MOD HAVE SAID:
“We have only closed off 12% of the total area available to residents – they still have plenty of other areas to use”
OUR RESPONSE:
Why is the MOD discriminating against the least able in our community, with no defensible reason?
WHAT WE HAVE UNCOVERED:
It may only be 12% of the land area, but it’s the most used 12% locally, with >84% of those surveyed using that 12%.
It’s also the only 12% that can be safely used by residents in wheelchairs, or those with other mobility issues. It is the only 12% with tarmac paths that are smooth and mud-free.
It’s the 12% that sits in the heart of Ash Vale – other access points are further away and harder to access.
Saying ”it’s only 12%” only takes into account the land area, not the usage (which would be more expensive to buy, 12% of Central London, or 12% of rural Northumberland?). It’s the 12% that is most used.
Featured Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash