Other industries and footpaths

[unlacedgecko]

Classic example here yesterday, path through the middle of our yard. I was moving a Freshly calved limmy cow from the calving shed into a straw shed just until this wet weather passes then she will go out. Opened the door but had a bit of a job getting her to go out as she was very protective and calf wouldn’t follow, before I got her out 30 people all ages walked right through the yard past the open door, luckily she hadn’t gone out so shut door and waited for them all the clear the yard. Two minute later a gang of middle class wan*ers on mountain bikes hurtled through the yard no respect for kids, livestock or anything else in there way, if they hadn’t vanished quickly a heated discussion on the merits of driving through my home at that speed would have ensued

Why don't you have gates to block the path?

 

[hally]

Why don't you have gates to block the path?

We do and they were shut but you can’t legally lock them, you wouldnt get anything done in a day if you had to dance around every footpath here, Roman wall trail, pennine way and 7 other routes. Admittedly I should have checked better before letting the cow out.

 

[hally]

My path isn't that well used, nor is it stuck to, which means folks can appear unexpectedly, and in odd places. Vision from tractors is OK, but I've had a few close calls with the Manitou catching sight of numpties in the mirror. I've got to get into the mindset of looking out for them constantly. Easier said than done. The new generation of ramblists don't seem to take much notice of their surroundings. Head down ( or burried in a map ) stomping along at 6 mph.........
Signs are a waste of time. Painting yellow pedestrian lines on mud and hardcore is a non starter. Diversion or fencing has to be the way forward.

It’s a big job nowadays moving a path with all the vested interests involved and getting them all to agree especially if there is anything environmental or historic to see.

 

[Goweresque]

Why would farmers be stopped from protecting the public by fencing cattle off footpaths?

Simple, there's what, 150k farmers/landowners and there's 70m of the rest of the public. And a vocal minority of those 70m will be screaming about how their access to the countryside is being denied. Who do you think the politicians are going to listen to?

The odd farmer here and there fencing a few hundred metres of fence will fly under the authorities radar, if there was a concerted effort to fence footpaths that resulted in even 10% of footpaths being enclosed (especially if that 10% was concentrated in high population areas like the SE) then there would be a political response, guaranteed. And that response wouldn't back up farmers, for sure.

 

[Poncherello1976]

I've a lease block with the foot paths fully fenced. Why would farmers be stopped from protecting the public by fencing cattle off footpaths?

A chap round here has tried it. Not industrial fencing, but 2 strands of smooth wire and stock netting. Uproar in the village and he had to stop. Now there is 2 rows of posts marking out the footpath.

 

[MattR]

On the subject of footpaths - do councils supply landowners with footpath signs if you ask for them? Or have you got to buy them yourself?

 

[Robt]

Genuine question.
If you write to Rights of way and ask for a path to be moved on grounds of safety. They refuse you. There is then an accident. Where would they stand?

 

[Robt]

On the subject of footpaths - do councils supply landowners with footpath signs if you ask for them? Or have you got to buy them yourself?

Council supply and maintain in our area (suffolk)

 

[unlacedgecko]

A chap round here has tried it. Not industrial fencing, but 2 strands of smooth wire and stock netting. Uproar in the village and he had to stop. Now there is 2 rows of posts marking out the footpath.

Why does uproar in the village mean he had to stop? Do the village own the land?

 

[7610 super q]

On the subject of footpaths - do councils supply landowners with footpath signs if you ask for them? Or have you got to buy them yourself?

National Park happy to do it here, but the place looks like Alton Towers then. I think signs every few feet completely spoil the place.

 

[Fendt516profi]

We do and they were shut but you can’t legally lock them, you wouldnt get anything done in a day if you had to dance around every footpath here, Roman wall trail, pennine way and 7 other routes. Admittedly I should have checked better before letting the cow out.

You did check before you walked in shed. Same here I can shut gates either end of yard look as far as you can see for people go to shed start to bring cattle out and people can be coming through gates

 

[hally]

Genuine question.
If you write to Rights of way and ask for a path to be moved on grounds of safety. They refuse you. There is then an accident. Where would they stand?

If you have an accident with a walker and livestock, the responsibility lies with the stock owner under the dangerous animals act, so you are at fault even if there is no access on that land. Found that out the expensive way here.
Because of this, your insurer will not challenge any claim but pay up and up your premium accordingly
Local farm had incident with wheel chair bound person and a cow ( see country file access for all ) on the roman wall trail and got sued for 250k. The blame always lies with the stock owner, so for that reason the insurance companies just want to quietly pay up and not cause any publicity

 

[hally]

On the subject of footpaths - do councils supply landowners with footpath signs if you ask for them? Or have you got to buy them yourself?

Yes they are responsible for signs and maintenance

 

[DrWazzock]

I created a “permissive path” round the edge of our farm buildings so walkers have the choice of using that or going through the middle of the farm yard on the right of way. All done with the support of the footpaths officer. Most walkers use the permissive path. I feel we have done what can to reduce the risk of an accident. The council advised me not to bother trying to get the right of way diverted as some body usually objects and it ends up costing the landowner abs council a lid of money. Doesn’t cost the objector anything of course. A very stupid system that needs updating.
In my opinion people who object to things should have to lodge bond with the applicant that they lose if their objection fails. Might stop a few time wasters.

 

[devonbeef]

Why does uproar in the village mean he had to stop? Do the village own the land?

at present if you own the land , you own the land ,the path is the right of way . i can not see how anybody can legally stop you fencing it. ignore it and fence it i would say.

 

[Hilly]

Like a baboon enclosure

Heated as well so their tounges don’t stick to the windows .

 

[Goweresque]

at present if you own the land , you own the land ,the path is the right of way . i can not see how anybody can legally stop you fencing it. ignore it and fence it i would say.

But wire cutters are as cheap as chips, and you can't watch every meter of footpath 24/7. It takes a second to cut the wire it took hours to erect. Its not a game the landowner can win if even only a couple of locals decide to take the law into their own hands. The law and reality are often not one and the same thing.

 

[Netherfield]

Are you obliged to keep a footpath clear of manure if it's through your yard? or can you leave a couple of inches of slurry on it.?

 

[Fendt516profi]

Heated as well so their tounges don’t stick to the windows .

No windows mesh sides so you can get a stick in to poke them to get them on there way, footpaths are for walking on not standing around staring

But wire cutters are as cheap as chips, and you can't watch every meter of footpath 24/7. It takes a second to cut the wire it took hours to erect. Its not a game the landowner can win if even only a couple of locals decide to take the law into their own hands. The law and reality are often not one and the same thing.

That's were electric comes in

 

[Poncherello1976]

Why does uproar in the village mean he had to stop? Do the village own the land?

No it is his land. Council told him to stop. Not sure on all the ins and outs of it though. I do not understand the problem myself, surely he can fence the fields in to paddocks that just happen to line up with the footpaths. People still have the views across the fields, the will just be made to stay on the path! I know the chap doing the fencing and he was given a hard time by people.
Not much experience with other councils, but we are covered by South Oxon district council that seem to be one of the most difficult councils in the land!