The Poultry Keeper

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 492 Location: gwent

we have a footpath running through our ground and we want to fence it off so that when we get goats they cannot get onto the path so far we have cleared brambles back to widen the path put in new wooden steps where the banking was steep and slippery and have started to fence the top half off with a 6ft fence this is for the goats welfare and to protect our equipment and to limit contact from walkers and our livestock.are we allowed to put the fence running along the path on either side it is just outlining their path not creating an obstruction or blocking the right of way we have improved the public right of way so much since having the ground i would think that people would appreciate it as it will be more assessable and maintained.but last night while i was brush cutting the brambles back off the path i saw two joggers stood by the main gate shaking their heads and pointing at the fence pulling faces at me!as if i was doing something completely wrong and terrible.surely we have the right to manage our ground and put up our boundary's?

CP · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject:

I am not an expert, but I would've thought as long as you weren't blocking the path there was nothing they could complain about. Confused

mojo · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 4:45 pm Post subject:

just check with the local eviromental officer how wide a footpath is

Lisa · Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject:

I don't know where you stand, but surely you must be able to fence off your land and protect your animals in some way.

Who knows why they were pulling faces - maybe you were digging up one of their fav spots for collecting brambles in the autumn...? Laughing

Like CP and Mojo say, as long as you were not obstructing the path, and as long as you leave what is the complete right of way (however wide that is) then I can't see they have any rights to complain. Although, of course, some people are just grumpy regardless!!

Do let us know what you find out - interesting stuff...

poultry poofs · Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject:

Go to this link

http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/
enter your post code and pull up the map for the land.The footpath should be marked if its a known public right of way.Check with your local council or county council rights of way officer who will be able to pull up larger scale maps and have the designated number of the right of way- if it still exists, he will also be able to advise on things like width.since its not a bridle way(for horses) it would not have to be very wide.If its inconvenient and there are reasonable grounds ie security issues or livestock welfare you can apply to have the right of way diverted to the edge of your boundary.If it no longer exists officially as a right of way then you can apply to have the designation removed.
Everyone has the right to roam on designated paths so long as they do so responsibly,in reality the paths are a nuisance when they cross your land as they enable troublemakers easy access to cause a nuisance,steal property or injure livestock.Usually children but many times so called adults are no better.My friend has a right of way across his fileds and I have lost count the number of times we have had to repair deliberately cut fences and round up stock that have been let out on purpose by dog walkers who refuse to stick to the paths.
As for the head shakers I wouldnt take too much notice its just another visible form of intimidation and bullying-just that they are too gutless and immature to speak to you directly to find out the facts for themselves.No doubt you have a loose mouthed trouble maker amongst your neighbours stirring things up because they dont like what you are doing.Even if you are improving the area the fact that you have it is enough to annoy them probably.
Take no notice and be friendly to anyone using the path they will come round in the end.

rich

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 492 Location: gwent

thanks for the advice once again .i contacted the council and got through to the right department after wards as we wanted to fence the path off and they actually thanked me for contacting them i have now told them we will fence it off so that its a width of 2 meter's they said the minimum it must be is 1.5 meter's so we made it 2 just to keep the walkers happy and not to feel caged in we have cut back all the growth that people used to have to squeeze through to use the walk as well and are now aiming at accessing the top part as there is a steep drop off the path that we have tons of soil to fill it with so nobody falls down the bank obviously it has been in a real mess for years its nice to see people starting to use it to walk their dogs up there when we first started you would hardly see anyone up there but a few people from where i live have been using it since they know we cleared it they are either genuinely using it or just being nosy lol.anyway as for the two faced joggers they are still the same pointing at stuff and head shaking but when they pass they say all right i think they are realizing how much we have had to clean up there as we have just left the rubbish for everyone too see until we finish litter picking just to highlight how bad the fly tipping has been over the years and we will remove it in one go now we have machinery to do it.i felt so relieved after speaking to the council about the fence as i was sure the joggers were going to complain they probably did but the council told me its fine what we are doing up there and thanked us for looking after the footpath! Very Happy

jaydee67 · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

You would think they would be grateful! Well done you!

Clucky · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2187 Location: Shropshire

Not sure if you have sorted this one already looking at the original posting date, but I think the path cannot be obstructed in any way, altered in route (you would have to apply for an alteration) and wide enough that a wheelchair (even if its not suitable for such) can travel along it and able to turn around unrestricted.

My suggestion is maybe stop regulars and put forward your ideas.....people appreciate being consulted even if they don't have to be by law Smile