Letter: Army fires back

The MoD has enjoyed the opportunity of participating in your debate on access to MoD land. I would like to point out that the Army uses Breckland for live firing, not for tank manoeuvres ("Our challenge to Army chiefs", 12 December). There is also a risk to the public from unexploded ordnance. This is true of Larkhill, where artillery shells are fired. You are right: "the Army won't drive its tanks up to the cliff edge" at Castlemartin. But the tanks do fire shells which land there. The MoD is happy to acknowledge where things can get better. There is a balance to strike. It is a serious balance and we must make sure we get it right.

IAN ANDREWS

Defence Estates,

Ministry of Defence