South Lake Drive in Barrington — a pothole-riddled road that runs along the eastern edge of Echo Lake — is being closed to vehicle traffic.

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha said Rhode Island Country Club owns the road; he said town officials approached club leadership recently and asked that it be closed to vehicles.

During an interview on Tuesday morning, Mr. Cunha said South Lake Drive has been plagued by illegal dumping, underage drinking and other troublesome activities. The one-way road runs from Washington Road at its southern end to North Lake Drive at the north.

"The dumping out there over the last few months has been unbelievable," Mr. Cunha said.

The town manager said local officials had considered closing the road to cars and trucks for years, but recently gained approval from RICC leaders. Mr. Cunha said he wanted the public to know that closing the road was initiated by the town, not by Rhode Island Country Club.

While motor vehicles will no longer have access to South Lake Drive, the roadway will remain open to bicyclists, fishermen, walkers, joggers and others wishing to visit it on foot.

"We will assure recreational access," Mr. Cunha said.

Gates will be installed at the southern and northern ends of South Lake Drive, Mr. Cunha added. The gate at the northern end of the road will be installed short of a dirt parking area. Police, fire and department of public works personnel will have the ability to unlock the gates in the case of an emergency on South Lake Drive.

The condition of the road has scared away countless motorists over the years — large potholes make some sections of South Lake Drive nearly impassable. However, many people brave the bumps in order to access fishing spots along Echo Lake. A small pull-off area for the Sowams Woods walking trails is located on South Lake Drive.

The town is also responsible for maintaining a fish ladder located on South Lake Drive which leads to Mussachuck Creek.