Footpaths that have "been used by the public for decades" are hoped to be included as public footpaths after gates and 'private' signage appeared.

Routes into West Bay's West Cliff estate from the Eype direction now have gates and signs stating it is residents access only.

The gates at the top of all four Cliff Walks were installed in November by the West Cliff Home Owners Association (WCHOA) Committee.

Bridport resident Karl Rogers is determined to make these access points public footpaths.

Karl said: "The local home owners association is trying to bar access after more than 50 years of unchallenged public use.

"These walks enable the easiest access to and from the coast path and I am now co-ordinating an application to obtain a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) to have them included on the definitive map as public footpaths.

"The gates and barring signs were installed without consultation and knowledge of many of the home owners who are embarrassed by their anti-social nature.

"The chairman of the association stated the installation was a result of the increased public footfall since the start of the pandemic and lack of respect by users, including littering, dog fouling and noise.

"As these routes have been used by the public for decades, with the support offered of confirmation of usage, I am confident the application for the DMMO to have them included as public footpaths on the definitive map will be successful.

"This will be for the benefit of current and future generations."

A spokesman for the WCHOA said the West Cliff housing estate has always been privately owned and maintained with all its roads, verges, paths and drains maintained and insured by the estate's home owners.

They said: "Unfortunately, during the summer of 2020, there was a marked and reported increase in the numbers of non-residents traversing the estate. There has also been an increase in anti-social behaviour; litter, dog faeces, invasion of privacy, thoughtless cycling and parking by non-residents.

"Very importantly, we have a significantly large proportion of retired, elderly residents living on West Cliff and with the Covid pandemic, the volume of unauthorised persons travelling through the estate was viewed as an unacceptable risk.

"It was therefore decided by the WCHOA Committee to reinforce the fact that we are a private estate by increasing signage on the pedestrian paths and gating them. The gates are not locked.

"Since estate records began some 60 years ago, it can be shown that the residents have always placed a combination of signs and gates on the vehicular and pedestrian entrances to the estate.

"As these signs and gates have deteriorated due to the very corrosive weather conditions on West Cliff, they have been regularly replaced or refurbished to preserve the message that the West Cliff Estate is private property."