Royal Navy's largest training establishment suffers heating and hot water issues

The Royal Navy's largest training establishment has been faced with no heating in the run-up to Christmas, as the country has been dealing with some of the coldest conditions this year.

Some personnel at HMS Collingwood have taken to social media to complain and senior officers said that while heating and hot water had been restored to some buildings, there were still issues for a limited number at the site who have yet to start their Christmas leave.

A grievance posted to the British military 'banter' site Fill Your Boots, attracted the attention of one of the Royal Navy's most senior leaders.

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The posts read: "HMS Collingwood been without heating or hot water for over a week as well, mate, just to give an RN perspective on how awesome DIO aren't...

"All except for Ph2 and leadership courses, we're thinned out at the start of this week, so you can imagine how good that looks to the baby sailors, seeing most of the seniors getting an extra week of leave while they freeze themselves in the shower and in their already hanging out accommodation...!"

Responding to the post on Twitter, Rear Admiral Jude Terry OBE, Director of People and Training for the Royal Navy, said: "I am aware of the current issues being experienced at HMS Collingwood.

"Heating and hot water have been restored to some buildings and contractors are on site working to restore services across the rest of the establishment.

"Most personnel have already commenced their well-earned Christmas leave and have returned to their homes and their families.

"But for the very limited numbers we still have on site, this is significant – we will ensure that they are properly looked after," she added.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace last week said those responsible for the upkeep of military accommodation should  "up their game".

His words came after a British Army officer hit out on social media as baby left to sleep in mouldy home and a military mum was "told off" for privately paying for her heating to be repaired to keep her newborn baby warm.

Mr Wallace said in a post on Twitter: "I have been contacted by a number of people about the inadequate response by @PinnacleSF@mod_dio@VIVODefence.

"I have directed those responsible for accommodation services to up their game. I shall be speaking to all the chief executives directly early next week.

"And, yes, I am working over the weekend and I expect those who are contracted to look after our service personnel to do the same!"

In a separate post, the Warrant Officer to the Royal Navy, WO1 Jim Wright posted: "The infra issues being experienced at HMS Collingwood aren't great but all efforts are being made to resolve the problems.

"Heating and hot water have been restored to some buildings, with contractors on site working to restore services across the rest of the establishment."

HMS Collingwood is the Royal Navy's largest training establishment and is the headquarters of the Maritime Warfare School.