Dog walkers who refused to roll over and play dead after being told they would be banned from a golf course are hoping their right to roam free has been saved.

Residents living close to the David Lloyd health club, in Staines Road, Twickenham, breathed a sigh of relief after signs stating a footpath next to the nine-hole golf course would be closed to the public were been taken down.

They said public access to the grounds would be prohibited from Monday due to “continued vandalism”.

The signs were removed this week after Richmond Council contacted the health club questioning the requirements of its lease.

Councillor Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s strategic cabinet member for environment and planning, revealed a meeting with the club’s managers would soon be held.

She said: “I can appreciate the club’s position given that there has been vandalism on the course, but in the meantime they have reassured us they will keep the gates open until the meeting has taken place.”

Dog walker Felicity Hanky, said: “A lot of people think that’s it now and that we’re OK but obviously they [Richmond Council and David Lloyd managers] still have to meet and decide.”

A David Lloyd Leisure spokeswoman said: “We are unable to comment further until we have held full discussions with council representatives."

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