Residents in Menzieshill are pleading with NHS Tayside not to cut off their easy access to Ninewells Hospital by blocking holes deliberately made in the perimeter fence.
Last week The Courier reported how homeowners in Clyde Place were fed-up with hospital staff parking in their street for free and taking the shortcut through the fence to work.
Tenants claimed their cars had been damaged on numerous occasions by other motorists trying to manoeuvre in the congested street.
But now more residents further up the hill have said they want to see a former pathway reinstated.
Ian Morrison said: ”The shortcut in question is used mostly by local people living in the Menzieshill estate to walk to work at Ninewells.
”Four of the six maisonettes in our block house Ninewells workers who commute by foot.”
He added that the ”hole in the fence” saves 20 minutes’ walking time and there is word of a petition to restore an established right of way which was there before the fence was erected.
Other residents echoed his sentiments.
Darren Robertson (31) said: ”I think it would be easier if they made it an official opening so people can get down more easily, but if they are not prepared to open it properly people shouldn’t use it.”
Another resident said: ”I don’t think they should block it off. There should be gates. There’s times I’ve been down there and you have to walk a mile and a half round instead of half a mile through the fence.”
However, pensioner David Valentine said people should be prepared to walk.
”Anybody can get a bus from Dickson Avenue and get to Ninewells if they really don’t want to walk.”
NHS Tayside maintained its stance that any gaps in the fence should not be allowed.
Ninewells site manager Brian Main said it amounted to an act of vandalism and asked anyone who sees any such holes to report them to the NHS.