VANDALS have cut through locked gates and churned up footpaths in Witcham and Coveney. One gate was repaired after an attack only to be damaged again within a fortnight. The routes were closed for the winter so that repairs could be carried out but the va

VANDALS have cut through locked gates and churned up footpaths in Witcham and Coveney.

One gate was repaired after an attack only to be damaged again within a fortnight.

The routes were closed for the winter so that repairs could be carried out but the vandals cut through the locks and stole them, damaged the gates and left deep ruts in the wet ground.

Now the county's ratepayers will pick up the bill for repairs.

One resident said:" You can see from the extent of the damage that this was a wilful act of vandalism and done with intent, so that these people can ignore the closed route and enjoy their recreational sport.

"It's not the first time that these byways have been damaged by people driving down them illegally and they don't seem to care for other users, and leave an unsafe and unpleasant route for walkers and horses.

"On top of this, they have destroyed the improvements made to the byway by the council and it is annoying to see this sort of criminal damage happening to the very measures put in place to protect the routes."

Kate Day, Countryside Services Team Leader for Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "The county council works closely with recreational 4x4 driver groups, such as the Green Lane Association and the Land Access and Recreation Association who ask their members to use the routes responsibly and respect closed routes throughout the winter.

"Sadly, misuse of byways by a minority of vandals spoils other people's enjoyment of these routes and wastes public money. We would urge anyone who witnesses these types of closed byways being misused to call the police.