Estuarybeef
Member
- Location
- Kent
Looking for some words of wisdom.. I am planning to put a new stock fence across a footpath in a few places. Am I obliged to provide anything more than a stile for footpath users? Thanks for any help!
Fencing across footpaths...
- Thread starter Estuarybeef
- Start date
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-...ep-public-rights-of-way-clear-of-obstructions
However, Kent County Council have said that no new stiles will be authorised. So you'll have to put in a proper gate.
These are the design standards for the gate: https://www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/5139/gates-design-standards.pdf
Kent CC will contribute at least 25% of the cost of the gate installation though.
However, Kent County Council have said that no new stiles will be authorised. So you'll have to put in a proper gate.
These are the design standards for the gate: https://www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/5139/gates-design-standards.pdf
Kent CC will contribute at least 25% of the cost of the gate installation though.
- Location
- Near Colchester
We have to put in approved kissing gates here.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Footpath guy told me that any new installations have to provide easy access, so they would only provide kissing gates. I replaced on old wooden gate that hadn't been opened for years with a stile, when I refenced and planted a hedge on a boundary. It was on a pretty well unused footpath, so I didn't think much of it, but my stile made access a hell of a lot easier than what was there before. Within a week, I had a letter to say that someone had complained and I needed to put a gate there.
I put a small gate, with a very heavy chain to pull it shut, and it's a hell of a lot harder to get through it with a rucksack on your back now.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Personally, I would erect the fence and put a stile in it. IF anyone complains, then put a gate in. I did that in a new fence at home 20 years ago, on a well used footpath, and nobody ever said a word. When the neighbour had put a lock on the field gate next to his stile, a short way up the same footpath, merry hell broke loose.
I'd follow the rules and consider all footpath users, which includes many more people than just those able to negotiate stiles.Personally, I would erect the fence and put a stile in it. IF anyone complains, then put a gate in. I did that in a new fence at home 20 years ago, on a well used footpath, and nobody ever said a word. When the neighbour had put a lock on the field gate next to his stile, a short way up the same footpath, merry hell broke loose.
- Location
- West Kent
I was told 5 years ago when I wanted to do similar that it had to be a gate so I put in a 4’ gate which at least I can get the quad through. Doesn’t matter that every other access to the field is via a stile...
betweenthelines
Member
- Location
- southwest
Things like this-Kent CC saying you must put a gate in-always interest me.
If you put in a stile, how far would the Council go (and how much money would they spend?) in trying to enforce their policy?
Send you a few letter, visit you a few times, take the stile down and replace it (sue them for Criminal damage) take you to Magistrates Court, County Court?
My father repaired a roadside hedge and laid in a few bottles so that the name of the local pub was spelt out by the visible bottle bottoms.
Council said it was a traffic hazard and he had to take it down. I always wondered what if he said no?
If you put in a stile, how far would the Council go (and how much money would they spend?) in trying to enforce their policy?
Send you a few letter, visit you a few times, take the stile down and replace it (sue them for Criminal damage) take you to Magistrates Court, County Court?
My father repaired a roadside hedge and laid in a few bottles so that the name of the local pub was spelt out by the visible bottle bottoms.
Council said it was a traffic hazard and he had to take it down. I always wondered what if he said no?
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How petty is it to save a hundred quid by, when you know the rules, putting in a stile rather than a gate which everyone can go through?
Estuarybeef
Member
- Location
- Kent
Great thanks for the help.. Sounds like gate it is then!
- Location
- East Sussex
I wouldn’t put a gate in myself. Just something else to leave open.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
I do always consider ALL footpath users in such circumstances, which unfortunately includes those f*cktards that seem unable to close gates, even when it’s onto a busy main road and there are sheep in the field.
As ever, the minority spoil it for everyone else as we have to allow for the lowest denominator.
I do always consider ALL footpath users in such circumstances, which unfortunately includes those f*cktards that seem unable to close gates, even when it’s onto a busy main road and there are sheep in the field.
As ever, the minority spoil it for everyone else as we have to allow for the lowest denominator.
Kissing gates are the best option then.
- Location
- East Sussex
They don’t work when there are different levels involved
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
We have a few of those too. They also have a habit of being left ajar once they’re a few years old, at least enough for sheep to figure out.
There is a reason why stiles were designed to allow access over stockproof boundaries, but then the primary use of that land doesn’t seem to matter any more.
How about a self-closing gate with a spring or even just set in at an angle so it always returns to the latch?We have a few of those too. They also have a habit of being left ajar once they’re a few years old, at least enough for sheep to figure out.
There is a reason why stiles were designed to allow access over stockproof boundaries, but then the primary use of that land doesn’t seem to matter any more.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Yep, good when they’re new. Of course they could be serviced annually, at the expense of the landowner, to maintain that condition.
Or you could just have a stile, which works.
- Location
- hereford
Ereford council gave us 2 self closing gates for a new fence - just ask footpath officer
Ask someone with limited mobility how well it works.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Should we be tarmaccing the field for them too?
Should we, as livestock farmers, really have to risk our stock being let out on the road by the small minority of thoughtless idiots, so that an even smaller minority of ‘limited mobility’ (i’m Guessing you are embracing the PC ideals and choosing not to use the term ‘disabled’
) can traverse a previously stockproof fence?- Tags
- health maintenance roots sheep