Argyll MSP Michael Russell has written to UK Defence Minister Philip Hammond regarding last week’s explosions at Coulport. With permission, we are publishing the letter in full here.
Coulport blasts: MSP letter to UK Defence Minister
Argyll MSP writes to Philip Hammond over Coulport blasts.
In a scathing attack on the MoD reported in today’s Sunday Herald, Argyll MSP Michael Russell said “Coulport has been a bad neighbour and it needs to apologise and mend its ways. Many residents were very worried by the blasts which were at times intense enough to shake houses. The fact that no warning was given and that there has still been no adequate explanation makes the situation even worse – and there is a fear that explosions may start again at any time.” Mr Russell has also written to UK defence secretary Philip Hammond.
No prior notice of ‘the exercises’ resulting in the explosions which rocked Ardentinny last week was given to residents. In today’s newspaper report, the MoD apologised to the community and pointed out that the exercise took place in a “remote area”. This “remote area” was in fact directly opposite Ardentinny shore and the explosions could clearly be seen, heard and felt from the village. The MoD spokesperson added “We will ensure advance warning is given for any future training.”
Ardentinny Community Council’s bi-monthly meeting takes place on Tuesday 1 April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. “MoD Coulport” is on the agenda. All are welcome.
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Nine Blasts today at Coulport
Loud blasts continued to shake Ardentinny today from the exercises taking place at RNAD Coulport. The nine https://cryptoforfood.net/index.php/2022/07/01/guzgusu-mostbet-yalnz-faktiki-guzgu-mostbet-duz-9-375/
explosions, which varied in intensity, began at 12.15hrs and concluded at 16.52hrs. Some of the blasts could be heard some 4+ miles away from Coulport, on the Whistlefield road (the Larach).
Possible exercises today at RNAD Coulport
We have received the following statement from HMNB Clyde, Helensburgh.
Royal Marines and Ministry of Defence Police are undertaking planned exercises in a redundant area of RNAD Coulport and carry no risk to the local community or military personnel. The exercises may result in intermittent explosive noise but there is no risk to the public.
HMNB Clyde has also informed us “that further exercises may take place today between 11.45 and 16.45hrs, and there is also the possibility of further exercises taking place either next Tuesday (1 April) or Wednesday (2 April). This is to be confirmed”. They also confirmed that, as Community Council Convener Val Kennedy has offered to be a conduit between the MOD and the community, including ardentinny.org, that they will liaise with her in future if they are issuing any pre-emptive information about RNAD Coulport activity.
Ardentinny shaken by more Coulport blasts
[Update 16.30: An MOD spokesperson has just informed us that his colleagues in Coulport have confirmed that the exercises have stopped for this week but there is a possibility that they may continue next Tuesday or Wednesday.]
[Update: 16.15: So far today five loud blasts have been heard from Coulport. Police Scotland have said they are aware of exercises taking place at Coulport and any complaints should be made to the MOD.]
The peaceful village of Ardentinny continued to be shaken today by huge blasts from Coulport. With four blasts on Monday, two blasts were heard yesterday (Tuesday) and a further two today.
An MOD spokesperson said “We apologise if any alarm was caused and that there was nothing to worry about and that the MOD are undertaking exercises which involve the setting off of charges and that these should be completed by this Friday”.
We understand that a local resident has made a formal complaint to the Police in this regard.