Campaigners are demanding the reopening of a popular beauty spots' car park to improve safety.

The car park in Bounstead Road, Colcheser, which allows residents access to Friday Woods, has now been shut for more than a year.

In the past few weeks, new concrete bollards have also been installed in Ramparts Lane, where many walkers were forced to park after the facility's closure.

Resident Paul Wagland is worried this will force even more walkers to park in dangerous spots nearby or abandon using the area completely.

He said: "It is a shame because they were perfectly safe places to park.

"There would regularly be defence vehicles using the route who would be able to pass even with cars parked on either side.

"There are now very few parking spaces within walking distance so it has effectively excluded many walkers from the area.

"Using the car park would be preferable of course.

"People have been using Friday Woods for generations and it is sad that won't continue."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the blocks were installed after "recurrent issues" for those accessing Friday Woods Training Area and the businesses at Park Farm.

He added: "In order to prevent illegal parking, concrete blocks have been placed on the verges of Ramparts Lane.

"Ramparts Lane is a private single track lane owned by the MOD and is not suitable for parking vehicles. This does not affect the public’s right of access to Friday Wood Training Area.”

Bruce Tuxford has been campaigning for the reopening of the area's car park since it closed in November 2017.

He said visiting the woods now was more difficult, particularly for elderly members of the community.

Mr Tuxford said: "I personally would visit the area more but it is very dangerous when there isn't anywhere proper to park.

"The solution to this is the army reopening the car park and managing it, there is no logical reason they cannot.

"They made the wrong decision before when they closed the car park."

Mr Tuxford believes Colchester Council should be fighting for residents' right to use Friday Woods safely and push the MOD to reopen the car park.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: "We are due to meet with representatives of the MOD early in the New Year to try to agree a way forward which will resolve the parking issues and improve access to Friday Woods.”

An MOD spokesperson said: “The Bounstead Road car park remains closed indefinitely due to numerous serious instances of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

“It is important to note that the car park is not a public facility. Public access is only permitted in accordance with the Colchester and District Military Lands Byelaws.

"We continue to monitor the safety of residents and the overall situation.”