CAMPAIGNERS have launched a petition to reopen a beauty spot car park.

Ministry of Defence bosses decided to shut the car park in Bounstead Road, Colcheser, which gives access to Friday Woods, after a string of anti-social behaviour incidents including homemade fireworks, flytipping and an arson attack on a car.

There were also concerns the area was being used for dogging.

The woods are used as an Army training area but are also open for civilians.

Bruce Tuxford, of Gladwin Road, Colchester, has attempted to contact Army bosses to try to reopen the car park but has not received a response.

He has also raised the issue with MP Will Quince who passed on the concerns to Tobias Ellwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the MoD.

Mr Tuxford said: “It is an absolutely beautiful resource and closing the car park is putting people off using it.

“I have walked dogs there for 40 years and it is an absolutely amazing space all year round - the bluebells in the spring, frosty mornings in winter, a river for the children to play in during the summer and all the beautiful colours in autumn.

“It is such a shame people are being put off because of one or two people ruining it for the rest of us.”

“With the way the town is growing, not having a car park facility is going to push more walkers who want to use woodland into other areas making them more crowded.”

Mr Tuxford, 62, added: “Now people who are disabled or elderly and live a little further away from Friday Woods cannot use it. There is no other parking on Bounstead Road.

“The garrison says one of their priorities is to ensure the people of Colchester enjoy having military in their midst - denying parking at Friday Woods is not going to do that.”

A suggestion is for gates to be installed at the car park which can be locked to allow people to park at the woods during the day but try to stop troublemakers at night.

Mr Tuxford said: “It is always busy during the day.

“If people see something which is not supposed to be happening then they will report it.”

An MoD spokesman said: “We continue to monitor the situation. Since closing the car park there appears to have been less vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

“While the MoD does not record every incident, we continue to monitor the overall situation.” To sign the petition visit getpetition.com/petitions/keep-friday-woods-car-park-open--fit-a-locked-gate.