Gates to stay open at vandal-hit Warley Woods

Bosses were considering locking pedestrian gates between the hours of 6pm and 9am on a trial basis.

But the proposal has now been dropped by Warley Woods Community Trust after it proved unpopular with visitors with bosses having decided to look at other options to deter troublemakers.

CCTV cameras and security patrols of the 100-acre site are among the suggestions put forward by the community following damage caused to the golf course at the popular beauty spot.

Dozens of people attended a public meeting last month to object to the plans to lock the gates opposite Lenwade Road and Grove Road.

Board members at Warley Woods Community Trust have been considering their views and have now decided not to press ahead with the trial.

They say the damage has left them out of pocket because of repeatedly having to clear up after the vandals and fear it will put golfers off visiting the course.

Holes have been dug and type marks left across the greens on the course during a series of attacks this year.

Trust chairman Steve Eling, who is also a ward councillor, said: "The board met and gave detailed consideration to the problems and issues raised.

"As a result, the Trust will not proceed with the pilot scheme of locking the gates at night.

"There is, however, still serious concern about the on-going levels of damage to the golf course.

"This in turn is affecting the ability to maintain the whole park, being a drain on staff time, impacting on golf income and incurring extra costs.

"The board needs to make clear that damage to the golf course, and its affect on the Trust's main source of income, along with the reduced enjoying of the facilities by those in the community who play golf, cannot continue.

"We have now started to take evidence, through photographs, and will use video to help determine what we do next.

"We look forward to trust members and supporters helping us in this process to protect the park against those who care nothing but to damage our facilities."

The nature reserve has previously been plagued by mini-moto riders who have caused a nuisance at night.

In February, police were forced to step up patrols of the site. It came after officers from the Abbey neighbourhood team began closing the vehicle gates off Abbey Road on some nights to prevent cars from accessing the site after dark.