WALKERS have been told not to use a footpath because vandals go on it on their way to target a derelict hospital.

No Public Right Of Way signs have been put up along Tower Lane, in Colchester, a footpath used for generations by residents.

It is believed the owners of Severalls Hospital, the Homes and Communities Agency and the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, has put them up to deter vandals and arsonists who have been targeting the derelict site.

Myland parish councillor Robert Johnstone said he had submitted a bid to Essex County Council to make Tower Lane a public footpath. It had collected evidence proving the route, which runs between Mill Road and Boxted Road, has been used for the last 20 years.

He said: “There are about a dozen signs on the lane saying No Public Right Of Way. It has really got up the noses of walkers and dog owners to be told they’ve got no right of way here. People say their dads have walked down there since they were children.

“I have spoken to the Homes and Communities Agency and they say the trouble is they’re getting vandals breaking into Severalls, so they don’t want to be held liable if one of them has an accident.

“The problem is, law-abiding people who are going for a walk abide by these signs, and the vandals don’t. We’ve had to give evidence statements from people saying that they have used it for a total of 20 years.”

No-one from the Homes and Communities Agency was available for comment yesterday.

Carol Geere, of the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which also owns part of the hospital site, said: “Safety is paramount to us and we do have warning signs up round the Severalls site.

“Residents will know there have been security issues at the site and we are doing all we can to ensure safety for all.”

Essex County Council spokesman Michael Page said: “A full review will now take place, and depending on the outcome, a public consultation may be required before a final decision is taken.”