A FOOTPATH near Wellington has been closed to prevent walkers being hit by golf balls.

The path currently runs across fields beside Oake Manor Golf Club, across the golf course, and straight through the clubhouse.

Oake parish paths liaison officer Jonathan McClelland said a hedge next to the clubhouse prevented people actually walking onto the golf course or leaving it if they came from the other direction.

Mr McClelland said: “To open this up would mean walkers are in an area where they are likely to be struck with a golf ball at high velocity. Therefore, it was considered unsafe to open up this route at this time.

“With no entry or exit point to and from the golf course at this point, walkers would either be left wandering around the golf course looking for an exit, which would increase their risk, or stuck in the field, having to walk back on themselves.

“The lower sections of the field are also considered to be an area at risk of being struck by a golf ball.”

Mr McClelland said a ‘permissive’ footpath route to by-pass the obstruction did not have landowner consent and was also of concern because people would have to unofficially walk near a ditch, so the route had to be blocked.

No other safe routes could be found across the area because walkers would either be at risk from flying golf balls or would have to walk in the main road past the club.

He said sections of the official footpath had therefore been temporarily closed and an application made to divert it along the ‘permissive’ route to both improve safety and reduce confusion.

Mr McClelland said the county council’s rights of way officers understood walkers were disappointed and frustrated at the closure, especially at this time of year, but they were working hard to push forward with the diversion.