There will be an increase in activity around Salisbury Plain in March when the British Army holds a major divisional exercise, which will test the Army’s deployment and reaction forces.

Exercise Tractable will be a key test of the deployability of 3rd (United Kingdom) Division’s ‘Lead Armoured Task Force’, comprising mainly of units from 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade.

It will bring together manpower and equipment from across the Army to ensure that it is adequately prepared.

Corunna Barracks and the rail head in Ludgershall will be used for some of the exercise activity, resulting in an increase in military activity in and around the Corunna Barracks site.

From February 23 there will be an increase in activity as troops erect the exercise infrastructure in preparation for the exercise. The main exercise period is in early March as follows:

• March 3-5: In-load of Lead Armoured Task Force to Ludgershall

• March 9: 50 km road test on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA)

• March 9-10: Vehicles move back into Ludgershall

• March 10-13: Vehicles depart Ludgershall on route to home location, Joint Air Mounting Centre (South Cerney), Sea Mounting Centre (Marchwood)

The anticipated peak activity will be on March 4-5, and March 9-10, when there will be an increase in tracked vehicle movement on the roads and additional tank transporter movements.

A spokesman for the Army said it is expected that there will also be an increase in noise from the Corunna Barracks site, but added that they will do their utmost to keep it to a minimum.

The recovery and clear up will then take place and it is expected that the site will be clear by March 20. The Garrison added that it is grateful for the public’s support and patience during the exercise period.