Royal Marines under fire from the military’s health and safety watchdog

Would-be Royal Marine Commandos could be stopped from running on narrow lanes in Devon, due to health and safety fears.

The recruits going through the rigorous selection process at Lymp­­stone, near Exmouth, have completed runs and speed marches on its winding roads for decades.

But after falling foul of the military’s health and safety watchdog they could be scaled back.

This is set to prompt a review of how to maintain the high physical standards fundamental to gaining a coveted green beret.

Senior officers at the Com­­mando Training Centre were issued a notice of censure for “troop movement on public roads”. Details have recently been published in the Defence Safety Authority’s 133-page annual report.

Headed by Air Marshal Steve Shell, the authority’s role is to monitor safety regulations across the Armed Forces, as well as investigate accidents.

More than 700 Commando rookies are trained at Lympstone every year, where they complete key endurance runs including a nine-mile speed march on public roads.

The area has been used for over 60 years for timed combat runs and “yomps”, in which they march back to camp carrying heavy packs and rifles. In one event, fully laden trainees run around a two-mile assault course on Woodbury Common, followed by a six-mile run back to camp on country roads – with the last one called “heartbreak lane”.

Several routes have already been changed to enhance troop safety and avoid slowing traffic. But instructors have now been told more escorts are needed. And if the weather is foggy, the training must halt.

Lorry driver Mick Smith, who regularly uses the roads, said: “It would help if there were flashing lights or something. It’s not the Marines’ fault.”

But military instructors say the safety inspectors fail to acknowledge that training teams often have at least three safety
vehicles.

A former instructor said: “We are living in an age when risk is not allowed.

“Recruits at Lymp­­stone train for war and they have been running down these lanes
for decades.”

A DSA source last night said the Royal Marines had sent mitigation which was taken into account. They added: “However, we will be keeping a close eye and it’s safe to say they are on final notice.”

A Royal Navy spokeswoman said: “We take the health and welfare of personnel very seriously, and take every possible precaution to ensure their safety.”