RESIDENTS have reacted angrily after a large number of people were travelling by car to Throop Mill to walk or cycle down the pathway.

Throop Village Conservation group closed the Throop Mill car park which prompted visitors to use the adjacent roads to park and get their daily exercise.

However, the government guidelines state people should not drive to get their exercise.

A spokesperson for the conservation group said: “The carpark was closed on Sunday and since then people have been parking on the roads.

“The afternoons are very busy in terms of walking and cycling.

“I have never seen so many cyclists in that area.

“They clearly don’t know the area as they say ‘which way should we go’ and ‘should we go left’ for example.

“Yesterday my neighbours counted 40 cyclists.”

The spokesperson said the government guidelines are clear, and the cyclists are not keeping two metres away.

“Not only that, they come by so fast,” she added.

“We are in a very difficult situation. It is unsafe. The government said don’t travel out your area for exercise.”

The spokesperson added that the conservation group put a barrier on the carpark and BCP Council followed it up by putting a notice up a couple of days later.

“We are very lucky and live in a nice area but the government are saying to keep your distance.

“We are being completely overrun.”

A spokesperson for BCP Council said: "Throop Mill car park is closed. All of us are having to alter our normal or preferred routines to accommodate the restrictions on our lives that combating covid-19 necessitates.

"To minimise the risk of spreading the virus and help prevent deaths, all residents are requested to exercise either at home or directly from home.

"The advice from our colleagues at Dorset Police is that if you can exercise with a run or a walk near your home, it is reasonable for you to do so.

"Their interpretation of national guidance is that it is not reasonable, for the majority, to drive to a specific place such as a beach or beauty spot. We support this view as it is not within the spirit of what we are trying to achieve."