To feel I should contact someone about this danger.

[Shakenupmum82]

Just had a horrible horrible experience. One that's really upset me. We went in the woods near our house. As far as I know it's owned by the national trust. it could be the woodland trust. We drove today to to so out 2.5 year old could toddler with reins. It's like a pathway around it for families to follow. Very high hedges and walls all around. With those gates that you push and it closes to stop kids and animals running out.

My kids were running happily a few Meters infront. I was watching them 100%. Suddenly I saw to fences and a huge gap in the middle and 60mph hour cars flying past. I bolted to grab my son. He decided to bolt ahead. My partner screamed at him to stop just as he got through the gap and thank goodness he frooze in fear. He was 2 meters and seconds away from being killed by a car.

We are back home. I take 100% responsibility that now letting walk ahead without holding my hand was a massive error. I'm just massively concerned as it's such an unobvious risk. Plenty of kids and toddlers were in there today walking ahead of parents etc. Do you think I should be contacting someone to tell them that it's an extremely dangerous risk to young children. Or is it 100% not an issue and parents are responsible (which obviously we are)

I am always focused on them and It just terrifies me that another child could end up killed as it's the only dodgy part where a child can get near the road.

Opinions please.

[Shakenupmum82]

Our two year old could toddle on reins that should say. So sorry for errors.

[Shakenupmum82]

Two fences.

[SandieCheeks]

It’s obviously really dangerous so of course you should report it

[LoisLittsLover]

I don't think it's anyone's responsibility except the parent in charge tbh. I would be unwilling to let a child of that age walk without hand holding unless I personally knew the area well. What if there was a pond for instance?

[Shakenupmum82]

Theres not a pond and I've lived here my whole life. It's a bit of fence with a big gap in the middle leading to a road. I hold his hand but he wanted to burn some energy off and as far as I was aware he was safe.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

Do you mean that a fence has been damaged so there’s a huge gap? Or is it just part of the way the woods are set out?

[Waveysnail]

No harm in dripping an email.sayong theres a big gap in the hedge, right next to the road.

[BestZebbie]

Watching them is your responsibility, but I would definitely report your experience in writing to their trustees as I think that will get you a fence, gate or at least good signage up ASAP - no one wants a child to die on their watch.

[Shakenupmum82]

It looks like a bit has been broken out for people to cross the road. It's about 2ft wide.

[MargeryB]

Is the fence broken or is there an intentional gap for people to cross the road?

[Shakenupmum82]

I've just got the gap from Google. What do you think?

[concernedforthefuture]

Yes report it. DH works for NT and unfortunately most of his colleagues have been furloughed and so places like this that are normally checked regularly and maintained will not be undergoing checks as they usually are. Find out who owns the land and let them know.

[Shakenupmum82]

The nettles etc were not there today just grass.

[minemineminemine]

I'd definitely report. It's not going to harm anyone to report.

Sounds like an awful experience for you. I had a similar thing once and thankfully ran fast enough to catch my son but it's stayed with me.

[Shakenupmum82]

Yes I'm surprised a child hasn't ran through there. I do my best to only let him free when it appears safe. Toddlers don't always want to hold hands either do they. He has no choice on the street. But he was exploring and picking flowers and sticks. So I was letting him have a good walk. I feel terrible now ofcourse.

[MissJaneLockland]

How dreadful, that must've been a terrible shock. Thank God your Ds was okay.
Don't feel terrible, you weren't to know

I'd definitely report it though, then it's up to them if they do anything.

[zscaler]

What a fright OP - I’m glad you’re all ok!

It definitely sounds like there should be a gate, or at the very least signs to warn people of the road ahead. It’s all very well saying people should be watching all the time, but you were watching and an accident still nearly occurred. That shows it’s potentially a huge safety issue.

I would try and find out who owns the land and see if they will do something about it.

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

To be fair if that’s an old google photo - tha. It appears that this is the “design” of the fence - I.ethat the gap is supposed to be there.

In which case not sure what help reporting would do - perhaps they could put up some sort of warning maybe - but like many wooded areas - they do come straight out into roads,

[WiddlinDiddlin]

Report it, but in future unless somewhere is actually labelled as 'this is a safe place to let your children free range', behave as if it ISN'T safe.

The real fault here is your assumption that it would be safe and had that fence been whole, a child could still very easily slip between the rails and get out.

[CustardySergeant]

There should be a gate there, not just a gap.

[SoupDragon]

It appears that this is the “design” of the fence - I.ethat the gap is supposed to be there.

There's a similar gap elsewhere on the road (which is shown in the OP's photo) which has a gate and a stile. It might be they are partway through putting that in.

[FlamingoQueen]

I would definitely drop them an email. Could you put it on a local Facebook group too? You don’t have to say about letting your dc off the reins, but it may just warn other parents.
Ps I know you will probably get slammed on here for letting your dc run free, but ignore it. It’s called letting your child have a bit of freedom in what you thought was a safe environment.

[CrotchetyQuaver]

I'd report that, it looks like someone's sawn through and removed the wooden rails to create that gap. I would e pact to see it coned/taped off it was "official" work

[Grumpylockeddownwoman]

I think either way, it’s worth dropping them a line - if it’s been damaged they need to know - if it’s how it’s meant to be - they can put a warning up maybe? Out of interest where their dog walkers there as well?

[Shakenupmum82]

Thanks everyone. I've emailed who I think owns it. Every other part of the it has the fences with the step to climb over.

Nobody else had hold of their children in this wood either. It is huge and has clear pathways. It happened so fast. But yes it has made me more cautious. But I did think it was 100% safe as it's got all the correct gates and fences around it. This is a very random dangerous thing. I hope they respond but it will depend on coronavirus and whether they are actually in the office.