Dog walkers are furious after a golf club has closed its grounds to the public because of vandalism.

A footpath situated next to the nine-hole golf course at the David Lloyd Health Club, in Staines Road, Twickenham, has been permanently closed to the public.

A sign was put out last week telling walkers they were no longer permitted on the grounds, causing a huge amount of upset.

But David Lloyd said the safety of walkers, some of whom had been hit by golf balls, and acts of vandalism had forced the club’s hand.

Pauline Barrett, 79, has been walking her Yorkshire terrier Chelsea through the footpath for years.

She said: “It is not us doing the vandalism. It is a public right of way, if it wasn’t they would not have the dog disposable bins.”

A David Lloyd spokesman said the footpath was not actually a public right of way. He said: “The footpath is on a privately-owned property on our nine-hole golf course. However, we have been allowing dog walkers to use it provided they keep their pets on their leads.

“Regrettably, due to several acts of vandalism, including verbal abuse towards our golfers, damage to our course and damage to our equipment, we have been left with no other option but to close this access permanently.

“We feel that this decision is also in the interest of general public safety, as we are aware that on several occasions in the past, members of the public and their dogs have been hit by golf balls.”

Kim Powell, 55, also uses the footpath to walk her dog and to get to Sainsbury’s. She said: “I have been using this footpath for 18 years.

“With all the money David Lloyd makes, it should hire someone to patrol these grounds, locking it up at night and reopening it in the morning. This would then stop vandalism.

“They used to have someone who used to lock up the gates at night, but they were never opened early enough the next day. This is why the area is now seeing vandalism.”

David Lloyd’s public footpath at the front of the health club will remain open to members of the public, continuing to maintain the field backing onto Uxbridge Road so the public are able to walk their dogs.

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