An action group has been set up by campaigners opposing any possible threat of the closure of popular local footpaths in the Penally area.

In a letter to the Observer this week, the Penally Footpath Group expresses 'dismay, anger and frustration' felt by Penally and Tenby district residents, and visitors alike, over the attitude of some golfers using the nearby links who play across the public footpaths.

"Walkers are being abused and signs have been erected across footpaths that have been open to the public for many, many years," claimed a spokesman for the group.

"This behaviour, in addition to the loss of a well-loved route from Crossing Cottage to the beach and Giltar Point, has prompted residents to form an Action Group to keep the present footpaths open for public use," explained the spokesman.

The group are appealing for walkers to support them by signing Public Rights of Way Information forms to keep the Crossing Cottage to Giltar Point path open and they will also be petitioning the National Park, the local authority, the Ministry of Defence and the Countryside Council for Wales, calling for a review of the erection of a fence on the eastern edge of the path at Crossing Cottage.

The path which is the subject to the group's campaign leaves Crossing Cottage on the easterly side of the railway. It continues in a southerly direction over uneven ground for approximately 1,000 yards, crossing another footpath, before joining the boundary fence of the firing range. It then continues a further 200 yards before veering back to the fence and proceeds up a hill towards Giltar Point, bearing left all the way.

"This footpath (once a road) was owned by Lord Richard Philipps and was conditionally made a Public Right of Way at the government's expense before he would sell the land to the, then, War Office in 1859," continued the spokesman.

"It was intended to provide access to Tenby, the beach and Giltar Point when the troops were exercising on the rifle range.

"Walkers on this route have been forced off the path to Black Rock and can no longer gain further access to it because gates have been padlocked.

"Furthermore, walkers on the coastal footpath are expected to walk three miles of a very busy Penally bypass," commented the spokesman, who also praised the Penally Community Council's 'Good Dog' campaign.

"This has been an outstanding success and dog owners must be commended on the cleanliness of the paths.

"We have lived alongside golfers for many years without accident or hostility, but this latest spate of intolerance is causing angry retaliation," continued the spokesman.

"In addition to the horrendous amount of signs being erected and gates being locked, barbed wire is being used and walkers are being told to stay off paths," the spokesman pointed out.

"During the recent Foot and Mouth crisis, residents were dismayed to find golfers playing across paths closed to the public. What message does this give to the public?," the spokesman asked.

"The following questions must now be asked: 1) Is it the county council's intention to allow the Golf Club the freedom to dictate Public Rights of Way? The footpaths were in existence long before the Golf Club and 2) If Health and Safety is now an issue with the Rights to Roam Act, should a golf course be allowed to cross Public Rights of Way?"

"The Action Group are presenting the Rights of Way officer, Mr. Roger Hooper, with various substantiated claims to keep numerous footpaths within the locality as Public Rights of Way and people who regularly use these paths and have done so for many years are asked for their support by completing the appropriate form."

The forms are available from Penally Post Office, Marsh Road Veterinary Practice or by calling Christine or Richard on (01834) 844983.

"The forms are not complicated, but help in completing them is available if needed," the spokesman added.

When contacted by the Observer, a spokesman for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park explained that the authority had not had any applications to close any right of way in the Penally area.

"A letter from a residents group has been received and we will be meeting with them to discuss their concerns," the spokesman said.

"We also hope to meet with the Golf Club and any other interested parties as well."