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?

[TARSCOUT]

You cannot do this and you know it. You bought/rented the property with a right of way so you just need to suck it up. Totally unfair on responsible users!

[flowerycurtain]

Stick a great big concrete block in the entrance that a walker could climb over.

Shout loudly from the garden you've got that bad cough coming on again. People will get the message.

I'm a farmer. I get that people don't have access to the outside space we do. I have no issue with the 50% (and that's all it is) who safely social distance, walk not cycle a footpath, pick up their dog poo, don't go in the field to pet the cows, don't let their dog chase my sheep, don't leave the gates open.

All things that have happened on my farm with clearly marked, topped, signed and fenced footpaths.

We closed the foootpaths for flipping foot and mouth.

[ElsieDear]

I think you've done the right thing. Yes annoying for others but they should be staying away anyway! Might be a reminder to them that they should be being careful. Worst case is that you get a letter from the council to reopen the footpath which you can then do.

[sadpapercourtesan]

You're breaking the law, and any walker using the path should simply remove the obstruction and carry on along the path. I certainly would. I would, however give you verbal notice that I was approaching, and stop to give you time to move.

If I were you I would put a little gate up with a bell on it. Then you would be able to hear people coming. But the onus is on you to solve your problem without obstructing a public right of way.

[corabel]

In principle this doesn't sound ok to me. Perhaps if we could see a diagram it might help. How big is your garden?

[mumwon]

put in a style? seriously as a temp measure that way you are allowing access for walkers but discouraging cyclist who shouldn't be using pathway?

[mumwon]

www.google.co.uk/search?q=stile+gate&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=hHx5NLNayvKF4M%253A%252CS8JY5J407jpiKM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRywPlYIzWePElFdCoHyr81TbZLsw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi7hJnxouboAhXyTBUIHQPKCrQQ9QEwAHoECAoQIw#imgrc=hHx5NLNayvKF4M

[PomBearsyummy]

Why is the onus on other people to shout ahead? If you are that bothered about your personal space then either keep a closerlook out or dont stand in the vicinity.

[Igotthemheavyboobs]

Persoanlly wouldn't have thought to shout a head, can they see you prior to the point of crossing paths?

[sickofhim]

Could you fence it so that people can't step onto your property. I don't mean block it off but just keep people separate from you.

[nopenothappening]

But adding bells and gates for successive people to touch is just going to increase transmission!

[ShesGotBetteDavisEyes]

On our daily walk we pass a small village and noticed earlier on they have taped off the (public) footpaths. Previously they just had homemade signs Saying “have you driven here? That is not essential travel...blah, blah”. We go a different way anyway but it did make me cross to see how they have taken matters into their own hands.
I can’t be bothered reporting them but I hope someone else does. They have no right to do it and I wonder how many of them are going walking around in other areas that can’t be cordoned off? I bet the whole village isn’t staying home and surviving on bread and water - they’ll be happy to go and buy food at the shops etc? Which carries much higher risks.
People are going bonkers and I think there are lots of little hitlers who are really enjoying exerting some kind of sanctimonious control over others.

[ZombieFan]

Just put a fence up along the path.

[Number12]

Thanks to all those who have provided some really useful information. The tape was taken down earlier on today. Im just amazed that someone can see me and my family in my garden and not alert me to their presence given the social distancing requirements. I can't always see or hear them approach.

For those saying I bought a house with a path...yup and not normally not an issue just when there is a life threatening virus being passed about!! The path is well maintained and theirs no brambles or anything. The path is fenced off (open country fence to be clear) and clear to walkers. The other side of the path is my neighbors hedge also well maintained.

Good old mn to knock some sense into me.

[simplekindoflife]

I'd hate this! I'd put a big sign up saying "Beware: Covid outbreak, please turn back!"

Could you divert the footpath to the bottom of the garden and fence it off? So it goes in a U shape, and then giving you peace and privacy?

[Actionhasmagic]

I’d put a sign up suggesting alt routes

[alloutoffucks]

@Number12 Are they keeping 6ft away from you?

[Enough4me]

For now I'd stay back from the fence, and in the long run I'd grow a hedge just behind it for greater distancing and increased privacy.

[Aesopfable]

And after you have closed the footpath, you can close the nearby motorway. Put a bit of tape across should do the trick. Afterall you have the same rights to close both - in other words no right at all! Why does your gardening take preference to people using a legal right of way? Maybe one of the walkers should stick tape all over your veg patch - they have just as much right to do that.

[EachDubh]

Places around us have been allowed to close rights of way if they pose a risk to owners health due to social distancing, infection from gates proximity to property.

[Aesopfable]

Places around us have been allowed to close rights of way

Under what law is this allowed?

[FlamingoAndJohn]

Hang on a minute, the path is fenced off and fenced on your neighbour side so it doesn’t run across the middle of your garden as such? I had an image of people coming in the top of your garden, strolling past the paddling pool and begonias and going out the bottom.

[ZombieFan]

The path is fenced off

So how are they coming anywhere near you? They cant stay away from you, you have to stay 2m away from the fence if your worried!

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Access laws haven’t changed and you are being a NIMBY. You are lucky to have space around you; others do not. Don’t be selfish

[ErrolTheDragon]

^ Places around us have been allowed to close rights of way

Under what law is this allowed?^

A lot have been closed in Wales, I believe.