RAMBLERS, joggers and families are being denied access to a popular footpath in St Albans, although foot and mouth restrictions on rights of way were lifted several weeks ago.

The two-mile path, running from the city's Roman ampitheatre site in Bluehouse Hill through the Gorhambury estate, was used regularly by the public until the foot and mouth outbreak earlier this year.

And despite the Government's decision to reopen all of Hertfordshire's public rights of way, St Albans' outdoor enthusiasts have been barred from walking along this particular path.

A sign on the site, which includes farmland, states the route will remain closed until three weeks after the last recorded outbreak of foot and mouth in the country.

However, the path is on privately-owned land and is therefore not classed as a public right of way, meaning landowner Lord Verulam can choose if and when he lifts access restrictions.

Mr Hugh Reeves of Strutt and Parker agency, which manages Gorhambury estate, confirmed the path was not a public right of way and would not re-open while there was still a level of risk from foot and mouth.

He added: "The estate's policy is that this is a permissive footpath which will be re-opened three weeks after the last outbreak of foot and mouth.

"The estate is not legally obligated to permit public access to the path but does so as a good will gesture for people to enjoy."

Meanwhile, Friends of Batchwood club secretary Mr Terry Lea lashed back at "urban people" demanding the path should re-open.

He said: "It's been a bad year for farming in general and I do not think urban people really understand how it works.

"There are tenant farmers on the estate, they pay rent and they have got to make an income, so people should not be telling them how to run their land.

"The farmers have their rights and they want to keep the path closed."

A spokesperson from the Countryside Management Service, which organises walks through the estate as part of its Healthy Herts Walking Scheme, said: "The path belongs to Gorhambury estate and we use it with their permission.

"The estate has made the decision to keep it closed because they want to protect their tenant farmers."

Following complaints from residents wanting to use the path, Hertfordshire County Council investigated the issue but found it was not a definitive right of way on the city map.