THE car park for Black Dam Ponds is the latest to be closed by the borough council in a bid to deter residents from travelling.

Earlier this week, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) closed the car parks to Eastrop Park, Crabtree Plantation and the Lime Pits.

It followed reports of people using the leisure spots for sunbathing, picnics and group gatherings during the good weather last weekend.

And now the council has added Black Dam car park to the list of those closed after announcing the news this morning (Saturday).

People are still driving to the car park in order to access Crabtree Plantation, according to the council. Cars have also been parking on the surrounding streets, despite government guidelines urging people to avoid travelling unless it is absolutely essential.

The current government guidelines tell people they should stay at home, only going outside for food, health reasons or work. If they can work from home they should do so.

There has been some confusion as to whether ‘health reasons’ includes exercise, and though people are allowed to leave the house for “one form of exercise” per day, they are advised to do so locally.

The government guidelines state: “We advise you to stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible – do not travel unnecessarily.”

BDBC reiterated that message in a social media post this afternoon.

“Exercise locally,” the post read, “our community safety patrol officers will be out today, supporting the police to get the message across.”