Surveys into whether dog owners should leash their pets will run later this year.

Last September Chippenham town council ruled that dogs should be on leads at all times in John Coles Park but postponed the decision due to “extensive public feedback”.

At the first amenities, cultural and leisure committee meeting of the year, it was agreed the town council would run both online and face-to-face surveys on the issue of dogs in John Coles Park.

After the meeting, chairman of the committee, Desna Allen said: “We’ve agreed that we will go forward with the consultation for the rule but we are not going to be making it a top priority at the moment.

“There’s is no rush. There’s far more important things that we have to do to keep our population safe.”

At the moment, dogs are still allowed to be exercised in one part of the park without a lead, as was previously allowed.

Cllr Allen said that feedback on new signage in the park is much clearer.

It’s thought that the surveys will run during the summer months of 2021, however a timeline for this has yet to be finalised.

A further report, which will include a draft of the survey will go to the next amenities, cultural and leisure committee meeting on Wednesday, March 3.

This new report will also include timetables for the roll out of the surveys.