But the move has prompted complaints from some who live near the campus, with claims that closing off the site will result in neighbours having to walk “hundreds of yards” out of their way.
The gates and pedestrian access to the college’s Coxons Close entrance are set to close on November 20, with a sign erected on the gates informing pedestrians of the news.
A spokesman for the college said the decision had been made to close the gates to the public to “promote a safe and secure learning environment” for students and formed part of a package of new security measures being introduced.
But some fear that people who currently walk through the campus to access bus stops or to get to nearby shops will be severely hampered.
Ste Greenall, of Snowy Way, in Hartford, said: “It seems a disgrace that people will now have to walk down to Park Lane, Horseshoes Common and then back up Ambury Road to get to their bus stop, to go about their normal business, or – as will be the case in a few weeks at the by-election – to vote.
“It is monstrous that elderly people, laden with shopping, or those for whom walking any distance is a trial, will now have to walk several hundred yards further.
“All students from that side of Huntingdon are now more likely to drive rather than cycle or walk because it is so much further. More grist to the mill.”
Read more: Increased security at college campus comes under fire from neighbours