We’re the only family on our road that aren’t allowed access to a safe route

[Realitea]

I am so upset right now. We live in a rural lane and the only way to get to the bus stop with my Dd is through another lane which the council have confirmed is a public footpath

Yet our neighbours say they own it and we aren’t allowed access. When I asked what our alternative route was they said a bridlepath. The bridlepath is really muddy and slippery and dark. Also if a horse comes along we have literally nowhere to stand and it’s quite dangerous.

Wtf do I do? I’ve only just moved here! The neighbours are in very close proximity so a fall out would be horrendous.

Just use it. Why are they saying you can't?

Just use it. If they argue just act sympathetic and suggest they take it up with the council as there must be some confusion

Show them the written info from the council which confirms it is a public footpath. I'd also contact land registry to check the council are correct - it is possible the council are wrong.

They’re saying they own it and they are the only ones who have permission to use it. My son tried walking through there the other night and got shouted at and marched to the bridlepath

Contact the land registry or your local council to clarify who owns the path. In your shoes of want to be very clear about that to avoid further confrontation.

If the council have confirmed it's a public footpath then use it and tell your neighbours to take it up with them.

I can see neighbours pov though if it turns out the council are telling the OP something which isn't true. I think you do need to double check. Also contact the council and ask what they advise is your next step. Ideally they would sort this with the neighbors as it would avoid direct conflict between you both.

I feel we are being looked down on as we are the only tenants and they all have huge houses. Ours is just a cottage. I hope I’m wrong about that but it feels that way

The council have reported to a highway investigator but god knows how long they’ll take to investigate. I checked the definitive map and it’s clearly a public footpath. Could it be wrong?

Get the council to write you an email / letter and show it to the neighbour

What a horrible person (man I bet!)

IWannaSeeHowitEnds - that would be ideal. They’re so slow to respond though. Maybe I’ll just go in there today. I can’t carry on like this

I checked the definitive map and it’s clearly a public footpath.

Then use it. All the information you have points to it being a public footpath. Print this off for your neighbour if they ask and tell them that until proven otherwise, you'll be using it.

Ownership and access to a public footpath are not the same thing and I'm sure they know it. I'd contact the council and be clear that you are being denied access to a public footpath. If your neighbours touched your child I would discuss this informally with the local police/PCSO, it may be considered assault.

BitOutofPractice - it’s one man and two women. All are quite intimidating to me but then I am far too soft

Can you arm yourself with an OS map showing the right of way next time you go and tell them you will phone the police if they get aggressive?

They didn’t touch him. They just shouted and argued with him. He was very upset by it all.

If they are blocking access to a footpath, they are committing a criminal act. Most councils have an on-line form to report these sort of problems, and it's their duty to keep rights of way open.

You posted about this the other day, you were going to contact the footpath officer at the council. Did you do that?

And you were going to contact your agent?

I’m hoping the council can sort it all out without me having to do too much confrontation. I do have the OS map and definitive map on my phone though in case I am stopped again. I haven’t used the lane since but there will be a time I have to.
I also reported to the police for their obstructing of it last weekend. I didn’t know at that point that our immediate neighbours owned it too and had a problem with us using it. I would hate to fall out with them. I’m wondering whether to tell the police not to peruse it but just ask the council instead!

TheSpottedZebra yes I did sorry! The council are really slow to respond.
I haven’t heard back from the agent yet either.
I just feel it’s worse now that my immediate neighbours have said we can’t use it either

Don't wait till you have to use it, get out there and use it now. It's clearly a footpath and it's there to be used.

I wouldn't confront until you double and triple check with the council. If it isn't actually a footpath they are well within thrir right to tell you not to use it

I would continue to use it until there's proof otherwise. There was a similar case close to me though and it actually turned out that the council had taken it upon themselves ro re-route a public footpath through someones land when they had no right to. He had to fight it for years but they eventually accepted that it wasn't a public footpath.

Can't remember the name but maybe ramblers organisation, fight for footpaths

Also, sometimes you can't avoid confrontation. They shouldn't be shouting at a child - that's threatening behaviour and you need to put a stop to that. There are some people who will bully you if you give them an inch.

Is there possibility that the official footpath is actually the bridleway? Does the map show both as separate routes?