CYCLISTS and walkers are continuing to use the Priest’s Way path despite it being shut for urgent repairs, it has emerged.

Project officer Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, who worked to secure the funding needed to restore the ancient track linking Swanage to Worth Matravers, says prominent closure notices are in place along its three mile length but people are choosing to ignore them.

“This practice is dangerous, particularly as the surface of the path is in different stages of repair,” he warned.

“People must realise that repairs will be ongoing until early December and that, in the meantime, the surface will be in various stages of repair.

“I was sent this photo suggesting that the path was unsuitable for cycling. How anyone could think that was the finished surface beggars belief.”

Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle told the Daily Echo a number of other cyclists, who have taken to social media sites to question the path’s surface, seem to be under the wrong impression the pathway is finished.

“I would ask people to be patient and observe the closure notices until the path is reopened when I can assure them that the new surface will be entirely suitable for all activities planned on a public bridleway.”

Work to repair the pathway started last month thanks to a £150,000 grant.

Parish leaders lodged the grant application in a bid to bankroll repairs, as some walkers felt the pathway, in places, had deteriorated so much it was difficult to traverse.

The Path for Communities Fund grant application, administered by Natural England, was supported by Swanage Town Council, Worth Matravers Parish Council and Langton Matravers Parish Council.

This renovation scheme includes drainage and resurfacing work, the creation of a short new stretch of bridleway and the upgrading of adjoining paths.

The work, being carried out by Dorset County Council, is scheduled to finish early December.