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Original poster

To maintain a farmer’s land myself?

62 replies

Shan5474 · 20/06/2024 13:41

I think some people will say this is petty and I need to get a hobby, thing is walking and gardening are my hobbies.

In a nutshell, if you were a farmer or landowner, would you be annoyed at someone maintaining a path that runs in between/through your fields?

The path is the quickest way to the neighbouring village and river, it’s hilly but lovely. Public transport takes an hour whereas this is a direct 30 minute walk. The problem is the path (it is a right of way, marked on paper maps and has yellow arrows by the styles) is maintained about twice a year so for much of the summer and winter it’s impassable unless you’re wearing chainsaw trousers and a helmet due to 6ft+ nettles, brambles and weeds. The path was maintained a few days ago but it’s still impassable (see photo - it’s really not possible to walk through). Second photo is just the nice view while on the walk.

I know farmers are very busy. However this farmer does have time to set up occasional shoots in one of the fields that the path runs directly through which I’m surprised is allowed on a public right of way.

This is really rambly but my question is if I were to contact the farmer somehow and offer to maintain it, or in fact just do it myself, would this be unreasonable and what kind of response can I expect?

To maintain a farmer’s land myself?
To maintain a farmer’s land myself?
OP posts:
user1492757084 · 20/06/2024 14:43

In which county is that lovely bridle path/ROW?
I would contact the farmer and say how valued the path is to you and I would offer to help cut the path with a scythe.
The owner can say YES or NO but it might be the start of a fabulous system. The farmer would have the tools possibly.

If the reception is too cool, then politely inform the ROW authority to attend to the matter.

senua · 20/06/2024 14:29

That view is fabulous and worth fighting for.
Report it. Let the Council see it in its bad state. Only once they have seen it would I consider getting the secateurs out myself.
Report it ASAP (with photos?) - now is peak lushness, so now is the worst it will look.

WiddlinDiddlin · 20/06/2024 14:19

Report the obstruction to your ROW team, every area has one, some areas have an interactive map you can use to report issues which makes the whole thing very easy.

As PP have said, it's highly likely the land owner is doing the bare minimum, in the hopes it will put people off using the path.

There is nothing stopping landowners shooting near or over public footpaths, as long as they do so safely and its their land/they have permission. Their licence should tell them what constitutes safe.

theemmadilemma · 20/06/2024 14:15

TheTartfulLodger · 20/06/2024 14:11

Landowners have a duty to keep rights if way accessible. In Essex you usually just report it to highways and they arrange for volunteers to open the path up.

Yes, this is correct. Lots of row around here through fields and much local mumbling if they are not correctly maintained.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-rights-of-way-landowner-responsibilities

Public rights of way: landowner responsibilities

As the owner or occupier of land with a public right of way across it, you must keep the route visible and not obstruct or endanger users.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-rights-of-way-landowner-responsibilities

TheTartfulLodger · 20/06/2024 14:11

Landowners have a duty to keep rights if way accessible. In Essex you usually just report it to highways and they arrange for volunteers to open the path up.

PercyPhelps · 20/06/2024 14:06

The problem here is that it is clearly not a well used path. We have various walks from our house where in the summer the path gets a bit overgrown with nettles and brambles but usually someone in the village trims it back a bit. I’ve taken my secateurs with me a few times.

This path needs more than a light trim!

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 20/06/2024 14:05

This isn’t rewilding. It's not unusual for landowners to strategically fail to maintain ROW in an effort to ensure they fall out of use. Over time, the access eventually gets lost.

I would find out who looks after ROW / access issues in your area and speak to them about it. This isn't an uncommon issue and they will have a process for trying to deal with it.

PuttingDownRoots · 20/06/2024 14:02

Its overgrown as no one uses it.
No one uses it as its overgrown...

AutumnFroglets · 20/06/2024 14:00

I would find out who is "in charge" of public rights of way at your local county council. They might be able to insist the farmer does something. Or see if the council or a wildlife trust will get together to form some sort of clearing group like they have for canals and parks.

Also contact your local force concerning the shoot so close to a right of way to find out it it's actually legal.

G123456789 · 20/06/2024 13:55

The farmer is being paid not to farm. The subsidies which started via the European union are for set aside. Do not touch the land, it would be criminal damage.
plus it might be a re wild ing scheme

WittyFatball · 20/06/2024 13:46

The farmer's not maintaining it because he wants to prevent people using their right of way.

If you want to go and make it usable do it but I wouldn't go looking for conflict by asking the farmer.