Anglesey sees biggest MoD payout over sonic boom claims

Anglesey has seen the highest know single payment by the Ministry of Defence over sonic booms, after £1,207 was paid out to a property owner over cracked windows.

New figures reveal that the MoD had handed over nearly £10,000 across the UK to settle claims after supersonic soundwaves, including £500 for a car accident.

One payment was to the owner of a fish tank that cracked during a sonic boom, caused when military aircraft fly faster than 750mph. A shockwave is created when the aircraft accelerates through the speed of sound which can cause damage to buildings.

The damage in Anglesey happened in 2014. In the same year it was reported that eight sonic booms had taken place over Ceredigion, Powys or Anglesey between May 2009 and June 2014.

Wales is often used as a low-level training area for fast jet aircraft and propeller-driven aircraft, particularly the area between Dolgellau and Machynlleth known as the ‘Mach Loop’.

The figures obtained by The Telegraph showed that the claims have cost the MoD £9,754.77 since 2014. Some 55 claims were made for damages, 23 of them settled.