AIBU Neighbour blocking right of access

[HouseIsOnFire]

Hello, me again! We have an odd set up - we're a row of terraces that have two gardens each, separated by a path along them, which (in the deeds) we have a legal right of access to that canntt be blocked.

End neighbour has put a large wooden planter over the path (1m long x 50cm high/wide), blocking it. This is used as an outdoor litter box for her cat (not sure relevant-just pissed off!) Deeds state must have easy access to right of way.

Needed access today, so asked a couple of days ago if it could be moved and it wasn't. Tried to move it today and I couldn't (am generally pretty strong so this isn't me just being a weakling, was hoofing about 25kg boxes of tiles over the weekend). I informed them I couldn't move it and would ask workmen to do so so they can access. Neighbour's response was it can be stepped over? I said I found it difficult to step over with the slippy ground and they would be bringing equipment in, though really feel like it doesn't matter how easier it is to step over? It's not meant to be there?

AIBU you can step over it so nothing wrong with it being blocked like this, is "technically" not fixed down

AINBU Right to unhindered access means just that, you shouldn't have to clamber over a planter full of cat shit!

I was planning to ask about putting a gate there instead (but thank gos its on the market so will wait for new owners!), but this is more I am seething and don't know if I'm being unreasonable??

I can't move it myself, I tried! Took both workmen (who are big guys!) to shift it

And they moved it back again? How did they move it?

No, it's currently sitting on the middle of neighbour's lawn.

I had the (fruitless) discussion with her this morning, then the guys turned up so they moved it for me. I haven't spoken to neighbour since

I lived in a house like this once. Your neighbour is unreasonable and probably breaking the law. Get the workmen to move the planter into your neighbour's garden.

In future could you just walk over the lawn?

No, there's a fence all the way except the 1m ish gap which the path, that they've blocked

YANBU. I'd just hate having to deal with all this nonsense.

Finally, a diagram I can digest in under 5 seconds 😍

It wouldn't be inhibiting. Having a dog (or a cat, or a rabbit, or a person) in a garden doesn't block the right of way, in the same way that having cows in a field with a footpath across it doesn't block the walker's right of way. The owner would have the responsibility to have their dog not pose a threat/ would have to act in accordance with the law in the same way they do in public places though.

Oh it’s such a pity that the workmen dropped the (fucking disgusting) cat shit planter and broke it, isn’t it? So sad that the contents rained all over the Neighbour’s garden in the process.

It's a pretty common arrangement for terrace houses, probably dates back to when there were outside shared coal sheds and toilets. My first house was like this.

Hopefully they will leave the cat box where it has been dumped now, since they've sold their house and won't want any disputes.

I would however, keep at them until they move to keep it off the path as it contravenes the access. Hopefully they will be glad to move as they will be sick of your nagging at them, keep it up OP! 😃

You can indeed put gates in both your fences as long as you don't prevent access through your garden by locking them, also a pretty common arrangement round here.