Angry South Londoners say the temporary closure of a popular walkway will force locals down a "tight" pavement so busy they could have to step into the road.

Residents in New Malden slammed Kingston Council's management of the closure of the pathway into Blagdon Park from Burlington Road, along with the response from ward councillors.

Kingston Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it closed the pathway to protect residents' health and safety as it leads into access for a construction site at Burlington Junior School, which is being partly rebuilt and expanded.

Responding to residents' concerns, the council said a gated entrance into the park will be open outside of the site's working hours at evenings and weekends.

A petition, from Kingston Independent Residents' Group (KIRG), demands the council also reopen the walkway during the school run, and put up big signs across the park displaying opening times. It has been signed by 287 people so far.

(From left (Independent councillors Yvonne Tracey, James Giles and residents by the entrance to the walkway, Burlington Road. (Credit: Charlotte Lillywhite/LDRS)

Locals living close to the park told the LDRS that people will be forced to use Burlington Road while the walkway is closed, describing it as "tight" and "busy".

Dad-of-two Richard Vincent said the closure came as a "surprise" to locals. He said accessing the park will become too much of a "hassle so people just won't use it that much in the same way". He added: "We're all supposed to be active. Kids are supposed to be out and we're just more likely to stay in."

Mr Vincent said Burlington Road is "full of driveways, it's wobbly, it's tight, it's difficult for people who are mobility impaired or a bit vulnerable physically". He added: "It's really narrow when you push a buggy along. There's not space for two buggies to pass, there's not space for a wheelchair and a person to pass – you have to go round the driveway or round into the road." 

Damon Noad, another local, said the council closed the walkway "with no warning, no consultation, there were initially no signs put up". He said it is "heavily-used".

Come September, Mr Noad said students from nearby Coombe Boys' School who "normally walk across" the park will have to use Burlington Road instead. He said they will be "walking down a busy road, so increasing pedestrian traffic, which is already quite bad, and if you can imagine someone coming in the opposite direction with children in a pram, they're going to end up stepping into the road which is not that wise". 

Mr Noad said he, and other residents, were "not happy" with the way the New Malden Village ward councillors had responded to their concerns. He feels their complaints were initially "dismissed" with responses about health and safety but "nothing more".

Dad-of-two Adam Last also told the LDRS he was "annoyed at the council for [previously] closing the path 24/7 and their inability to organise signs on either end to warn people that the path is blocked". Independent councillor James Giles, who represents a different ward, organised the KIRG petition and a meeting with residents to discuss their concerns.

He said: "I was shocked to find the council had closed this popular walkway in New Malden, and even more stunned to hear that the ward councillors seemed entirely disinterested in helping residents demand better from the council and get it reopened."

Blagdon Park, Blagdon Road, New Malden. (Credit: Charlotte Lillywhite/LDRS)

A spokesperson for Kingston Council said parents, carers and staff at Burlington Junior School, Burlington Infant and Nursery School and neighbouring Park House residents were told of the closure in early July.

The spokesperson said: "The health and safety of our residents is crucial as we look to create the best facilities for delivering the highest quality education. In order to expand and improve the facilities at Burlington Junior School, the pathway into and out of Blagdon Park from Burlington Road has had to be closed as it leads directly onto access for the construction site, which is where all site traffic, plant and deliveries are being routed throughout the project.

"Compromising safety to leave the pathway open during site working hours with large site vehicles and deliveries taking place is not a risk the council is able or willing to take, and there are alternative options for access between Burlington Road and Blagdon Road that provide a safe environment for all to use.

"Responding to the concerns raised, we have worked quickly with councillors and the construction contractors Morgan Sindall to reach a compromise, resulting in a gated entrance that will be open outside of site working hours, i.e. evenings and weekends. We have received a positive response from residents on this outcome, and will monitor and review any amendments as necessary."

The spokesperson added: "We are committed to ongoing communication with the local community about the project, and will be working closely with Morgan Sindall as they produce regular updates. New signage on pathway opening and closing times will shortly be placed at the entrance to the park, as well as the location of the closure, to make sure people are aware."

Lib Dem councillor Lesley Heap, chair of the New and Old Malden neighbourhood committee, said: "Since the closure of the footpath, we have worked with the officer, and a two-month trial has been negotiated so that it will be open outside of operational hours and at weekends. Residents are aware of this, and we will ensure they are notified as to when this comes into effect. The health and safety of our residents is of paramount importance and will take priority over convenience."