County Council removed footpath kissing gate and replaced with swing gate

[Coximus]

As the title says they did this on a paved footpath after complaints the old high quality steel gates were too stiff and heavy (crud in the springs due to trees).
They have replaced these with swing gates with 14inchbgaos under which are obviously not sheep proof.
As I have a history of dog attacks on a scale of over a dozen ewes dead a time. I have fenced the path off now.
As a result of this chang horses are now using the path... The row office was dismissive on the phone and made clear his priority was ease of access forbwalkers and everything else was my problem.

What can I do? Not bothered about money just want horses gona as one rider has already screwed my new fence as the path is not wide enough for a horse to pass walkers. They're also getting ratty about the barbed wire top and have cut it twice now.

 

[Ukjay]

I think you will only ever stop this if you can afford to do what this farmer did, as rights of way are cherrished and abused imho:

 

[fieldfarmer]

Who owned the original gate , if it was yours tell them too return it, and re install, ( theft) , if not put a kissing gate back in at your cost, they should not be able to remove your property.

 

[Coximus]

The original gate was installed when the council came and widened the footpath and tarmaces a stretch without permission in the early 2000's. It was put it after the coubcil removed a fence to widen the path resulting in serious sheep attacks

 

[Purli R]

How wide is the actual footpath? (not how wide they have made it) is it an actual Bridleway? or are the horsey lot tekin the pee? Why did the council remove the fence? Was it theirs to remove?

 

[Manny]

Put a frame over the top at 7' high. This will at least make the rider get off and back on again which normally stops them.

 

[C.J]

Put a frame over the top at 7' high. This will at least make the rider get off and back on again which normally stops them.

As I understand , it is a foot path and horses should not be using it.Horses could not get through the kissing gate, but they can now ,get through its replacement.

 

[Manny]

As I understand , it is a foot path and horses should not be using it.Horses could not get through the kissing gate, but they can now ,get through its replacement.

I know they shouldn't but try telling them and you get a torrent of abuse back normally.