Residents have reacted with fury after learning they are to be banned from a popular thoroughfare.

Dog walkers were told by the Croxley Guild of Sports Club this week that a fence will be erected on Saturday to block access from Stones Orchard.

The club, which leases its land from Three Rivers District Council, said it could no longer tolerate the “continuous” dog fouling which threatened the safety of its players.

Many furious residents, however, accused the club of over-reacting to a “minority” problem – with some even threatening to tear down any barrier erected.

The Watford Observer spoke with a number of dog walkers yesterday.

Mike Litherland, of Dickinson Square, said: “I really cannot understand why they have taken this step. It seems so bloody minded.

“So many people walk their dogs along this route. It is only a tiny minority who allow them to foul the pitches that ruin it for everybody.”

Deborah Denman, of Dulwich Way, added: “I’ve been walking this route for 15 years. I always go through the Orchard so I’m very upset about this.”

Seventy-five-year-old David Neighbour, of Fuller Way, added: “This really beggars belief. I have used this route since I was a boy.

“There is so much anger about this – they have no right to do it. By doing this the club is damaging its link with the community.”

The club, however, says it has every right to protect its land from “trespassers” and fouling dogs alike.

Club Chairman Simon Evans expressed sympathy with the residents but insisted he and the club’s management had been left with no other option.

He explained that, despite its popularity with walkers, all parts of the club’s land remained private property.

He said: “We really did not want to have to do this but we’ve been left with no choice.

“The dog fouling has been continuous over a number of years. Sometimes we’re finding three to five lots of mess before a game. As chairman I have to do something about that.

“What people have to remember is that this is private land. Just because we have allowed people to walk through in the past this does not mean it is a right of way.”

Mr Evans, who was previously in charge of the Guild’s youth teams, added that he had wanted to fence off only the playing surfaces but had been refused council funding to do so.

The club, he added, simply did not have the funds for such an expensive project.

What do you think? Do you sympathise with the club’s predicament or do you back the dog walkers? Tell us by commenting below.