Watford Borough Council (WBC) are working together with West Herts Golf Club and Hertfordshire County Council to manage official footpaths near the golf course and improve signage.
This follows debates over the closure of paths surrounding the golf course and it has been confirmed that there is no ‘Right to Roam’ on West Herts Golf Club land and are only two official Rights of Way across the golf course which remain open and unaffected.
This collaboration between the councils and the golf club will ensure increased signage on the two official footpaths so that walkers remain on the routes and avoid risk of harm.
Councillor Tim Williams, portfolio holder for client services said: “Situated beautifully within the Cassiobury Estate, the course at West Herts Golf Club and its two public rights of way provide residents with a scenic place for people to walk and it’s been a great benefit to the local community during the pandemic.
“However, the influx of new walkers on the course due to lockdown restrictions has further highlighted the possible risk of harm to golf members and park-users via usage on the unofficial footpaths that run across the course east to west, from Cassiobury Park to both Jacketts Hill and Whippendell Woods.
“Before the re-opening of golf courses on March 29, we are working with Hertfordshire County Council and West Herts Golf Club to clearly mark official access routes and to install better signage for wayfaring across the course.”
Jonathan Kaltner, general manager at West Herts Golf Club: “The Golf Club have met over the past 2 weeks with representatives from both Watford and Three Rivers councils to discuss the most pragmatic way forward with regard to footpaths crossing the Golf Course.
“The focus of the discussions has been on increasing awareness of the authorised public rights of way across the course and actions to reduce the use of unauthorised routes that pose a danger to walkers due to their proximity to golfing activity. We are open and committed to working with all parties to ensure the safe use of the golf course by all users.
“With golf restarting on Monday, March 29 we urge the public to stick to the designated public rights of way to avoid any risk of injury from straying onto the course.”
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