Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Anglesey sees biggest MoD payout over sonic boom claims

02 Apr 2021 1 minute read
An RAF Typhoon F2 flying through the Mach Loop. Picture by Chris Lofting.

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.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.