during the 1970s, an average of 1,500 armoured vehicles and 30,000 soldiers exercised in the training area each year under the terms of the agreement. as a result, traffic on the local roads was heavy due to troop movements and there was an increased risk of accidents. the local population had to put up with noise, dust and vibration. in addition, the harvests were sometimes affected and roads damaged by the movement of heavy military loads. however, significant compensation for the damage caused was regularly paid by both the british and german governments in accordance with the sofa.