RESIDENTS are angry that a well-used route in Carrington that passes Manchester United's training ground has been closed.

The HIMOR group has closed a half-mile private road on its land, between Isherwood Road and Birch Road, which pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders have used for decades as a route from Flixton to Dunham and Altrincham.

Messenger reader Tom Jeffs claims the closure means people will have to use busy roads.

But land and property giant HIMOR refutes this and says it has been forced to act to prevent "anti-social behaviour that has caused health and safety concerns."

The company claims people have been fly-tipping, digging for bottles, and motor-cross riding on the land.

It added that "closing this road addresses security issues in relation to other land and property in the area."

Hitting out at the closure decision, Mr Jeffs said: "This route has been used by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders for at least 40 years, without interruption or problem.

"The football club has always been extremely nice and let people through, but now it has been asked to hand out letters telling us that the road is closed.

"People are generally disgusted.

"If this route is closed, cyclists are faced with using either Carrington Lane or Manchester Road, both of which are fast roads with lots of traffic, including HGVs, tipper trucks, buses, vans and cars. "They are distinctly unpleasant to cycle along."

HIMOR - which is behind a £100m development scheme to regenerate Carrington - said there are alternative routes.

A company spokesman said: "HIMOR is committed to maintaining access to all defined public rights of way. The private road between Isherwood Road and Birch Road is not a public right of way.

"There are alternative routes for people, including the Trans-Pennine Trail which allows horse riders, cyclists and walkers access from Sinderland Road to Manchester Road, and we recommend that people use this as an alternative. There are also a number of public footpaths marked on maps of the area.

"We are absolutely committed to the regeneration of the area and the Future Carrington proposals will include a network of new and improved routes across the Carrington Estate, preserving and improving the various public rights of way, footpaths and bridleways.

"We have now started a process of engaging with interested parties in respect of alternative, more appropriate routes across the private Carrington Estate.

"We understand that people may be disappointed by this decision but HIMOR’s commitment to health and safety across its estate means that it is no longer appropriate for people to be using this particular route."

Trafford Council chiefs says they have no powers to intervene.

A spokesperson for the One Trafford Partnership - a collaboration between private contractor Amey and Trafford Council - said: “The One Trafford Partnership is aware that a section of Birch Road though Carrington Moss has been fully withdrawn by the landowner.

"A stretch of the route past Manchester United training ground - from the barrier near the entrance to Nursery Farm to the south west corner of MUFC training ground - is not a public right of way.

"This means the council, as the highway authority, has no powers to give access if the landowner does not wish to do so.

"There is an alternative route from Flixton to Altrincham, using the Trans-Pennine Trail.”