Part of the area was open after 4pm, after the Ministry of Defence had finished firing exercises.
David Cooper from Kingston Ramblers says people in
the area are now “denied the opportunity” for a short leisure walk.
A MoD spokesperson said:
“The technical areas of the Ash Ranges training area have been closed permanently. This is due to safety concerns for the general public accessing a firing range, even on non-firing days, and to prevent vandalism to these facilities. These are already clearly marked and hard to access without using the gates. No new fences will be erected that restrict access by the public.
“The remaining 88 per cent (3,500 acres) of Ash Ranges is available for public access unless live firing is taking place or the areas are being used for military training. There is no intention whatsoever to prevent ongoing access to Ash Ranges Danger Area.”