A woman has barricaded her home amid fears her health could be put at risk by people ignoring social distancing rules.

Julie-Ellen Barrett, of Friars View, Aylesford, says members of the public have been cutting across the area outside her house and brushing past her since the lockdown came into action.

Scroll down for video of Ms Barrett leaping out of the way of a group of people

The 48-year-old claims people have always done this - due to the property being at the end of a cul de sac with access to the Medway riverside - but it never bothered her before.

However, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Ms Barrett has become increasingly concerned about the danger of constant close contact with people.

Having been let go from her job as an architect, she is now at home most of the time, often outside getting things from the car or gardening.

Ms Barrett, who lives with her two lodgers, said: "There are hundreds of people passing my front door every day and when I come out there is always someone right there.

"A few days ago a kid ran right up to me when I was working on some shrubs and later I was washing my car and a guy brushed right past me.

CCTV showing people cutting across Ms Barrett's front drive

"People have been cutting over my front steps and I have to run to the other side of the road to let them pass."

After constantly finding herself in unwanted close proximity with strangers, Ms Barrett felt she had to do something.

So she borrowed plastic barriers from a friend who works on the motorways and positioned them around her house, joined with rope, earlier this week.

There are three signs explaining her reasoning to members of the public.

She said: "It's been extremely difficult here, I'm scared - I don't want to catch that virus. I go all prickly thinking about it.

"I'm not downgrading my safety to the same risk level of others."

One nearby resident raised concerns the footpath was being obstructed, but Ms Barrett says hardly any cars come down and some people already walk in the middle of the road anyway.

She has also got some negative feedback from other people since erecting the safety barrier.

"I saw a family coming along earlier today so I went to the other side of the road to let them pass and one of the adults said "weirdo" as he walked past, and then his little kid did the same," she said.

However, Ms Barrett added most of her neighbours have been supportive and understanding of her decision and she saw a marked council car drive up to her house, read the sign and then leave.

Another problem which has arisen during the lockdown is people climbing Ms Barrett's back wall.

The stone wall backs onto the River Medway and has a path running below it. When people reach the top, they are just a couple of feet away from someone sat in Ms Barrett's garden.

She said: "I've never noticed anyone climbing it since I've lived here, but now they've all started doing it all of a sudden. People are coming with proper kit and just don't realise the problem."

Ms Barrett has put signs up warning people not to climb the wall and has been in touch with the police regarding the issue.

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