Early morning users of a popular Stafford park are furious at a move to put back the opening time by an hour.

The borough council wants to change Rowley Park’s hours to keep it in line with Victoria Park, meaning no-one will be allowed into the park until 8am on weekdays.

But this has sparked anger amongst joggers and residents who walk their dogs before heading off to work, and among people who use the park as a cut-through who feel they are effectively banned from doing what they want.

An action group has been set up by local people after posters were erected by Stafford Borough Council saying the opening time of the park would be changed from 7am, seven days a week, to 8am Monday – Friday, and 9am at weekends.

The posters went up the day after this year’s borough council election on May 3 and the Park Action Group (PAG) has been established to oppose the plans.

The seven-strong committee claim they have been “abandoned” by the council.

PAG spokesman Henry Smialowski said: “Many people are only able to make use of the park between 7am and 8am to run or walk, for recreation and to spend time with their pets before they have to go to work.

“Others use it to get to and from work. This will be denied to us all from June 4.

“There has been no public consultation on this issue and even a borough councillor for Rowley ward knew nothing about it until members of PAG contacted them to discuss the matter.”

Karen Anderson, of St John’s Road, said: “This causes me a major problem as my son goes to athletics club in school on Fridays and this starts at 8am. “Currently he is able to walk from our house in St John’s Road to The Grove school by cutting through the park. 

“This provides a safe walking route for him as the alternative is via the Wolverhampton Road and would take much longer.

“My friend lives in Highfields and regularly helps me in the mornings by taking my two children to school when I go to work. Likewise she picks them up and walks them through the park home.

“I see many people using the park as a pleasant and safe route to go about their daily business early in the morning and I know this is going to cause major problems. 

“It will also inevitably increase traffic as the longer routes will force people back into their cars.”

Cabinet member for leisure Councillor Mike Smith said that he will contact the group regarding their concerns.

He said: “I am more than willing to talk to the members of the Park Action Group about their concerns regarding the situation in Rowley Park.”

Borough Council spokesman Will Conaghan added: “The changes are being introduced to bring Rowley Park in line with the opening hours of Victoria Park in centre of Stafford.”