Shared access

[PostHarvest]

Can anyone suggest how to manage a shared access to a property that has a chance of working because I'm struggling with a system that doesn't work?
I rent a yard and farm building where I keep stock, machinery and fodder. Behind the yard and accessed through it is the village sewage treatment plant. The roadside gate is fastened by a chain with two padlocks, one for the farm staff and the other for the water company. We both need access 24/7.
The water company staff just don't seem to understand that if they use their padlock and we use ours, both of us can get in and out when we need to. Twice already this week water company staff have fixed their padlock across ours, locking us out. A couple of weeks ago, they locked me in. Often they just leave the gate wide open, so we get visits from the white van crowd. Because of that I had my tools stolen twice last year.
Each time the water company locks us out or leaves the gate so it can't be locked, we have to call the water company, describe the situation in words of no more than two syllables then wait for them to spare the time to come back to open or shut their lock. They won't give us a key to their lock as its not their company policy.
I could accuse the water company staff of being malicious, but I don't think they have the brain power.

 

[Clive Tee]

 

[farmer phil]

combination lock?

 

[Sussex Martin]

Cut the chain in half so there is no way their lock can interfere with yours, simples .

 

[Cjm]

Cut the chain in half so that your lock is opposite theirs. That way they can't bypass your lock. Also have a quiet word with one of their guys about "borrowing" or copying a key. They are usually the same across all their sites....

 

[PostHarvest]

We've tried most ideas
The chain was cut so that the locks were opposite but they just drive out leaving the gate wide open.
Their locks are supplied by a Swiss security company that specialises in supplying locks to utility companies and doesn't issue blanks or spares outside their industry.
Also tried combination locks, but they are nowhere near as strong as keyed locks so Pikeys can break them too easily. And its the water companies lock that's the problem, and that is keyed.

 

[The Ruminant]

Cut the chain in half so that your lock is opposite theirs. That way they can't bypass your lock. Also have a quiet word with one of their guys about "borrowing" or copying a key. They are usually the same across all their sites....

Also make sure the chain is just long enough to reach when both padlocks are on it - it will be too short for them to override yours then.

 

[Clive Tee]

Write to them and tell them you will be making claims if they don't start being reasonable. Keep a records of all the time, trouble and effort, then submit a small claim (or however you do it nowadays). Might be a nice little earner. We charged a water company a fortune for access to a bridge many moons ago, and they weren't even bothered.

 

[Mr always wrong]

We've tried most ideas
The chain was cut so that the locks were opposite but they just drive out leaving the gate wide open.
Their locks are supplied by a Swiss security company that specialises in supplying locks to utility companies and doesn't issue blanks or spares outside their industry.
Also tried combination locks, but they are nowhere near as strong as keyed locks so Pikeys can break them too easily. And its the water companies lock that's the problem, and that is keyed.

We have same problem with u u, didn,t matter how many times we asked nicely they locked us out. They started to listen when we locked them out.... now no problems.

 

[Goweresque]

Have you tried putting a (polite) notice attached to the gate right where you lock and unlock it? Chances are that the water company contractors/employees going in and out don't realise that there are other users who need to use the access, and that it needs to be locked as well. In large corporations its virtually impossible to get instructions to all who may be involved.

If that fails to change attitudes, you can either go down the route of writing to them formally explaining the problem and that you will in future be billing them for all inconvenience caused (lost time, stolen items) or you can start start locking them out (or in) on a regular basis. Preferably on a Friday afternoon when they all want to get home early.

Depends whether you like your revenge served hot or cold I guess.

 

[Pond digger]

We don't know enough about the circumstances to advise, but on the face of it, if both parties have access, then neither party has a right to lock the other out, and if the gate is an established fixture and intended to be kept shut, then it must be left as found. It does sound like you should be sharing one lock, to make it work.

It sounds a bit of a ridiculous scenario to me; both parties need to work together. These kind of disputes can lead to serious, legal expense.
Who is the landowner? Their agent should step in and sort this one out.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Electronic gate with code

 

[Blue.]

I have a similar gate that is locked,neighbour has access to his fields and Ea have access to a measuring station,we all use the Ea lock and it worked ok till my neighbour started giving keys out willy nilly

@PostHarvest any way you could fit two gates?

 

[RushesToo]

I like the lock in option, the charge for inconvenience option is last resort but as it is a company it is language they understand.
I would opt for a sign an arrangement like this:
http://kk.org/streetuse/one-gate-multiple-locks/

With signs saying shut the gate and a warning for charging if not honoured at their call out rate + overtime as you will need to make up the hours lost.

 

[Pond digger]

I like the lock in option, the charge for inconvenience option is last resort but as it is a company it is language they understand.
I would opt for a sign an arrangement like this:
http://kk.org/streetuse/one-gate-multiple-locks/
View attachment 268006

With signs saying shut the gate and a warning for charging if not honoured at their call out rate + overtime as you will need to make up the hours lost.

Well this is the obvious answer: can't believe it didn't occur to me- two locks on the same chain, each forming a link in the chain. I feel a bit thick now.

Doesn't stop them leaving gate open though, so as said, tell them they'll be liable for your consequential losses. You need to speak with management though. Still no joy, then lock em out and explain why; they should soon learn to cooperate.

 

[PostHarvest]

That arrangement with multiple locks on the same bolt looks ideal. I've already spoken to the water company and it looks as though they are willing to go with that. Thankyou TFF

 

[Nearly]

Well this is the obvious answer: can't believe it didn't occur to me- two locks on the same chain, each forming a link in the chain. I feel a bit thick now.

Doesn't stop them leaving gate open though, so as said, tell them they'll be liable for your consequential losses. You need to speak with management though. Still no joy, then lock em out and explain why; they should soon learn to cooperate.

I had to explain to a builder about something similar. They wanted to be through my gate, I said 'put your padlock through the end of the chain and I'll come down after you've gone home and move my padlock through yours and the other end of the chain so when you arrive in the morning you can open the gate. It took me 3 tries to get him to understand, but we got there.