Footpath over my property

[Number12]

We have a Footpath that runs over our property. As you can imagine its very busy at the moment, in fact I've never seen it so busy. Normally we smile, wave chat etc But at the moment that's just not possible. The path itself is single file, room to shuffle past someone oncoming but nothing like 2 metres.

Its been very difficult to be in the garden, I just can't relax because every 30 seconds Im checking to see if anyone is coming and then stepping away with the kids if I see someone. There have been several occasions people have come along and I've not seen or heard them and not one of them has shouted ahead and let me know so I can move away, they just try and pretend they are not there!. The path is half a metre, if that, from where we are working (trying to get veggie going). We have just had three cyclists go past, they didn't shout or ring a bell and we didn't have time to move away.

I've previously emailed the council and they were concerned but they haven't closed the path. So today I did! I know it's illegal but I need to keep my family safe, if people shouted ahead that would be one thing but they don't care!

Ahhh I have I messed up, what would you do?

I’d do the same to be honest.

People won’t like it but if they can’t use the pathway effectively then they shouldn’t have the privilege.

Cyclists? Not allowed on footpaths. Tell them to get off the foot- clue-is-in-the-name- path.

As for blocking it, you'll get a lot of complaints but councils will most likely send you a stern letter, once you have reopened it. That's the attitude round here after an already appalling year for uncontrolled dogs and sheep worrying.

Yeah if they can close national parks I think you can close your garden. How do you close it?

It might be worth putting up a sign were people are entering the footpath that it is closed up ahead.

I've put some red and white safety tape up, tied to posts. I did walk back to start of off road path and put up tape there too to to deter people. Normally I wouldn't dream of doing that but these are not normal times! There have been lots of confused looking people.

I'd be very tempted to do the same as you've done.

How big is your garden and does the foot path run across the top/bottom of it, or right across the middle?

Can they go an alternative route?

The garden is long and thin and the path is to one side (long ways if that makes sense?)

As for alternative routes, depends which way. From our side they can just turn around and go back as we are near start of route. coming from other way they can take a turn to get to where they would be had they continued but they might not know the way.

Call me old fashioned but I wouldn't break the law.

Stop going within 2 metres of the public right of way.

Make a sign asking people to shout or whistle, that's not too hard is it? It's really unfair to deny people access, they need to get out as much as you do. Put tape along your garden if you like to make it clear that they can't step off the path.

We have a footpath that runs through our garden, and right past our front door. Like you, not normally a problem but recently we've become concerned about people touching gates and not respecting the 2 metre rule. Last week I made some handwritten signs politely asking walkers if they thought it was appropriate to walk through our garden at this time. I suggested an alternative route (a much prettier route) and I've not seen a walker since. Is this something you could do OP?

Can you put a note up saying that due to the path width it is not possible to ensure social distancing and so the path is closed due to the current pandemic?

@holycrapweasel and @Random63638 that's a great idea thank you. A chap has just climbed through the tape anyway, walked right past my dh within a metre of him. Didn't say a word, why don't they say something so we can move????

To be honest thinking about it, I think people would read the note and ignore it! Im so angry.

you're so angry? You're breaking the law! Stay away from the right of way.

We have a footpath along our garden which we have actually had to fence off so people don’t wander into our garden. I sympathise, but I wouldn’t close it off, it’s illegal. I love walking footpaths and would be pretty pissed off if one had been taped off if I had planned a route using it.

We have just had three cyclists go past, they didn't shout or ring a bell and we didn't have time to move away.

Is it a footpath or a bridle path? If the former, can you narrow the gap to allow pedestrians only - like a 'squeeze stile'?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stile

You're breaking the law! Stay away from the right of way.

How on earth is she breaking the law by being on a right of way on her own property?

I would block it, put something sturdier there.

She’s breaking the law by trying to close it.

Staple a sign up on the side which is near the start- "Social distancing not possible. Use different route".
That way you may end up with people only travelling in one direction.

You could also put loose tape across at your boundaries saying 'shout to allow us to move away'.

Sorry we need a diagram.

@ErrolTheDragon she's breaking the law by putting tape across a legal right of way to stop people using it.

She shouldn't close the path but saying ' You're breaking the law! Stay away from the right of way.' is incorrect.

She can certainly put up notices requesting social distancing and the use of alternatives.

www.ramblers.org.uk/news/latest-news/2020/march/footpath-closures-during-coronavirus.aspx

I’d put signs up saying your are isolating due to symptoms. Bet no one uses the footpath then.

I’d be tempted to close the right of way too in these times. But footpath people are a stubborn lot and become very angry and defensive over footpaths.

A diagram would help us asses the situation.

It's not your right to close the footpat, though you could write to the council explaining the circumstances and see whether they would agree to temporary closure? Otherwise just put up a sign asking people to alert you to their presence if there is someone in the garden. I know it doesn't help much now but presumably you were aware of the path when you bought the house and it was probably slightly cheaper because of the potential inconvenience?