Nature lovers have finally seen a gate designed to keep cars off the grass at a popular nature spot shut – six weeks after it was installed.

The barrier was put in at the Cannon Hill Lane entrance to Cannon Hill Common in August following a request by residents and a park user group, who said cars parked on the common were damaging the green space.

But last week it still had not been shut – apparently because of fears vehicles could be trapped on the common.

On Friday Councillor Debbie Shears said: “I’m so cross. It’s ridiculous.

“To have a gate that is put in there with taxpayers’ money and then left open is pathetic.”

The councillor said angry residents had been emailing her to ask why the barrier had not been shut.

She said council officers told her they had been unable to close it because every time they tried they found vehicles parked on the common, which would have been trapped there.

After the Wimbledon Guardian contacted the council about the gate on Monday, the gate was closed later in the day.

The council would not comment on the delay.

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