Walkers who use a “valuable” footpath in High Wycombe are urging councillors to vote against plans to close it due to claims of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Officers at Wycombe District Council will recommend that councillors on the High Wycombe town committee should support the closure of part of a path that connects Desborough Avenue and West End Street.

The committee will discuss the plans to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on the path, which would close it to public use by introducing locked gates at either end, at their next meeting on October 2.

The Open Spaces Society and the Buckinghamshire Ramblers say they are “dismayed” that the controversial order has been recommended for approval.

A consultation on the plan in the summer saw objections from the likes of both the Chiltern and the Open Spaces society along with some residents, but despite the opposition, council officer Sarah McBrearty is recommending that the closure goes ahead.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society and footpath secretary of the Ramblers in Buckinghamshire, said: “This is an important, well-used and popular footpath. It is part of a much longer route extending between Rutland Street and Leigh Street. 

“Closure of the path will not eliminate the alleged problem of anti-social behaviour; it will merely push the problem elsewhere. Legitimate users will be penalised, and this could set a dangerous precedent for town-centre paths.”

Ms Ashbrook says Wycombe District Council should carry out work to make the path “more welcoming” in a bid to cut crime.

She said: “It is well known that bona fide walkers are eyes and ears—watchdogs who will spot and report criminal behaviour.

“The alternative route is around three sides of a rectangle, alongside busy roads with traffic, on footways which are often obstructed.

“Moreover, the issue is made more complicated as adjoining householders need access along the path, so there will have to be locked gates with certain people having keys.”

In a report that is due to be presented to the town committee next week, officers admitted there is a “concern” that closing the footpath would set a precedent or move problems to other roads, however it says “action does need to be taken to tackle anti-social behaviour”.

An alternative option to the closure, installing CCTV, would around £35,000 – “considerably more” than the £3,500 cost of the proposed gates.

However, Ms Ashbrook urged councillors to reject the plans, saying she does not believe the legal tests for a PSPO have been met.

She said: “We urge the members of Wycombe District Council’s Town Committee to tell the Cabinet Member that it does not approve a PSPO for this path.”