MoD explosions damage homes 20 miles away (From Echo)

MoD explosions damage homes 20 miles away

3:50am Tuesday 8th December 2009 in

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A CAMPAIGN to cut the number of explosions from a Ministry of Defence range has been launched by residents who claim the shockwaves are damaging their homes.

Suzy Shimell, from Jaywick, has launched the bid to encourage residents to ring a special MoD careline to complain about explosions from the Shoeburyness range.

Soldiers use the facility for training, including dealing with explosives, before they are deployed overseas.

Unwanted explosives and mines are also blown up at the site.

Campaigners hope to reduce the scale of activity on the range, and also want compensation for residents who have suffered damage to their homes or property caused by the explosions.

Mrs Shimell said: “Unless we all get together and keep complaining they are not going to do anything about it.”

Barbara and Robert Odams, of The Close, Jaywick, welcomed the campaign.

The couple have lived in their house for 11 years, and recently discovered a series cracks in their kitchen.

They are convinced they were caused by explosions at Shoeburyness, and claim the blasts have got worse over the past 18 months.

Mrs Odams said: “It got bad last year and this year it is exceptional.

“The whole house shakes. It has been frightening a few times.

“The whole house moves so it has got to be causing damage elsewhere that is not visible.”

Claire Scotter, external communications manager for QinetiQ, which operates the facility for the MoD, said: “The world-class facilities enable our Armed Forces to undertake critical ‘real life’ training in a safe and controlled environment before being deployed overseas.

“We try extremely hard to limit noise. We carry out daily noise predictions and monitoring for the coastal areas of Kent and Essex and work to a self-imposed decibel limit of 125dB, which is significantly below the statutory limit of 140dB.”