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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: happyhiker on 10:49:39, 06/12/18

Title: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: happyhiker on 10:49:39, 06/12/18
Seen on a walk last week. Someone had thoughtfully cut a notch in the collapsed branch to allow the kissing gate to swing but still difficult to get through even with rucksack removed. There was no easy way round the obstruction. It has been reported. What obstructed footpath access have you seen?
(http://i67.tinypic.com/x1enlt.jpg)
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: April on 12:43:00, 06/12/18
There were a few stiles near Brampton that were difficult to get over. A finger post that clonked you on the head when you got over and another one with a double fence with the stile in between, very awkward manoeuvres  ;D They have both been sorted out now (someone must read my trip reports at the council  ;))

There is one footpath I've not been able to use near Kellwood, north of Brampton close to Hadrian's Wall. The two times I've tried, bullocks behaving badly have stopped us entering the field where they and the footpath are in. They were charging up and down the field and when Beefy went for the gate to see how they would react, they charged toward the gate, very fast, roaring. There were a lot of them. No way was I going into that field. If we'd had ninthace with us we could have asked him to "distract" the cattle while we continued safely up the footpath  ;)
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: barewirewalker on 14:40:39, 06/12/18
I should have thought it is worth discussing this actual example, looks like a willow tree to me with a growth defect that clearly indicates that his is going to happen at some time.

Is it the council's responsibility? I have an old cherry at the front of my garden that gives a wonderful display of blossom early every year. One year I found a spray paint mark on a branch that overhangs the roadside pavement. Week or so later an official type letter, stating that there were symptoms to indicate that it might break and I must take appropriate action and within a time frame. It came with an addressed envelope and form to be returned when I had done the required work.


The tree could be part of the wood or it could be in the boundary of the field, but surely it is the responsibility of some property owner. What level of supervision has that property owner shown in allowing this to happen and was the notch cut to allow the gate to be used done on his behalf.


It is notable in Harry Cotterrels 'common sense policy' on access published by that organization that represents the large supposedly professional freeholders of land and like to think of themselves as landowners, that there is no recognition that they have any duty, where the law requires them to recognized public access.

I have a few examples, quickly available pre-photobucket debacle, but one comes to mind. Style and steps from roadside through to field, with fingerpost, but fingerpost neatly cut off level with newly cut hedge and wood chips all over the step. Add this observation to other signs of contempt for the idea that people should be walking in that area and it was clear that the hedge machine operator was expressing the landowner's opinion.



Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: Maggot on 16:13:26, 06/12/18
How do I get pictures up on here?!?!
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:52:28, 06/12/18
How do I get pictures up on here?!?!



You need to upload your pics to a photo hosting site, and then link to it using the picture symbol above the leftmost smiley face.


I use imgbb.com - nice and simple. And entirely free  :)
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: Maggot on 19:16:51, 06/12/18

You need to upload your pics to a photo hosting site, and then link to it using the picture symbol above the leftmost smiley face.


I use imgbb.com - nice and simple. And entirely free  :)


Sweet, thank-you
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: Maggot on 19:18:59, 06/12/18
Not really a blocked footpath, in fact just the opposite!  Quite possibly the easiest stile to negotiate in the entire UK? 

(https://i.ibb.co/JCMjwxY/20151230-103929.jpg)

(https://ibb.co/M93kx8z)
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: fernman on 20:00:58, 06/12/18
There was a 2 metre height kissing gate in a wall above Llanfairfechan, to get from a minor lane onto the North Wales Path. I don't know if it is still like it but it was 100% impossible to get through it with a pack, even if I took it off and held it by my legs. The only way I managed was to hoist my pack onto the top of the wall and retrieve it from the other side.
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: BuzyG on 20:22:06, 06/12/18
There are several Blocked paths on Bodmin moor that I know of.  The county council site is well laid out and makes them easy to report. However I have yet to witness any action being taken as a result of those I have reported.
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: sussamb on 22:59:25, 06/12/18
Not really a blocked footpath, in fact just the opposite!  Quite possibly the easiest stile to negotiate in the entire UK? 

(https://i.ibb.co/JCMjwxY/20151230-103929.jpg)

(https://ibb.co/M93kx8z)

This one's easier, no wire fence, did make a nice seat though  ;)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0yT6WqpL/IMG-20151025-WA0006.jpg)
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: pleb on 11:45:03, 07/12/18
Seen on a walk last week. Someone had thoughtfully cut a notch in the collapsed branch to allow the kissing gate to swing but still difficult to get through even with rucksack removed. There was no easy way round the obstruction. It has been reported. What obstructed footpath access have you seen?
(http://i67.tinypic.com/x1enlt.jpg)
I've been through there!
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: richardh1905 on 13:17:53, 07/12/18
Wouldn't fancy going through there in a gale!
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: sussamb on 13:45:06, 07/12/18
And returning to pointless stiles, fence has long gone ...

(https://i.postimg.cc/bJG9VVRZ/DSCF4489.jpg)
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: happyhiker on 15:19:49, 07/12/18
There are several Blocked paths on Bodmin moor that I know of.  The county council site is well laid out and makes them easy to report. However I have yet to witness any action being taken as a result of those I have reported.


The kissing gate in the original post was seen on this walk https://tinyurl.com/yawqmsu7 (https://tinyurl.com/yawqmsu7)   and was reported to North Yorkshire, not least because the tree seemed held up by a stone gatepost which itself was at a precarious angle.


I reported two footpath problems in the Howardian Hills to the same authority some time ago. On one they acted straight away and sorted it. I have asked them what happened on the other issue, a fenced path blocked by brambles. I still have the scars!
Title: Re: Blocked Footpaths
Post by: happyhiker on 15:20:50, 07/12/18
How do I get pictures up on here?!?!


I used Tinypic.