A PATHWAY in Purbeck “used for 50 years” has been blocked off by a “vicious razor blade wire”.

The path leading to Broad Bench, near Kimmeridge, has been cordoned off by a barbed wire fence, a move which one resident called “heavy-handed”.

Frances Nicholson, 54, said: “There’s been a path there controlled by the Ministry of Defence. When they fly a red flag, you can’t go into that.

“We must be talking 40 or 50 years that path has been there, despite the erosion you can still get down to the beach.

“What they have done is put up this razor blade wire. During lockdown, surfers were going down that path even when red flags were up.

“I can understand their frustration in them breaking the rules, I feel they have been extremely heavy-handed.

“You are allowed to use that path when there aren’t red flags there.”

Ms Nicholson said the wiring was not the “right solution” and called for the path to be restored.

She continued: “Erosion happens all the time. The path should be made good and there needs to be policing of the red flags if the surfers are ignoring it.

“I feel it is completely heavy-handed and out of proportion.

“I can understand their annoyance with the surfers if they are ignoring the red flags but not in respect to this path.

“They have put this razor blade wiring spilling down the pathway, if someone is stuck on the beach or an animal it is dangerous, it’s totally out of keeping with a beautiful area.”

An MoD spokesperson said: “Although the Charnel Steps are not a public footpath sometimes the public try to use them to access Broad Bench. The steps are also unsafe due to erosion. This area has been fenced off to make it clear that this is not an accessible route.

“Our contractors monitor the fence for damage and vandalism and conduct repairs when necessary.

“Broad Bench is accessible via the beach when the Range Danger Area is open to the public.”

In 2009, surfers campaigned to change the direction of firing from the MoD to allow them access to Broad Bench.

At the time, the MoD pointed out the land was available to the public on 137 days of the year and to Broad Bench daily when firing is completed.