Footpath-adding an extra stile in and where to get one?

[Coop]

After 10 years on Sunday we had one footpath the goes round the edge of one of our field permanently fenced off (that'll teach them!). The footpath then gets to a stile, crosses a gateway and goes down the opposite edge of another field. We need to add another stile in so the walkers go over the first stile, cross the 12foot gateway and over a new stile to cross the edge of the second field which we will be fencing off (after 10 years of people walking where they want, dumping rubbish from the houses next to the footpath including recently 30 paving slabs and a sharp fence post and abuse when we asked them to remove rubbish we have had enough!).

Those with footpaths on their fields will understand!

Question is, are we allowed to add another stile on the footpath so we can fence the second field? It will be on the line of the footpath.

Confusing I know!

And where do you buy stiles?

Thanks

 

[cremedemonthe]

I'd check with the council if it bothers you about putting a stile in because you can guarantee SOMEONE will moan about it otherwise saying it is restricting their access and secondly can't you make a stile if you are allowed to put one in?
As long as it's sturdy to take the heaviest of walkers without breaking and access at the bottom for dogs to go through then making your own would be easiest I would have thought?
Could be wrong though!
But that's what I'd do

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

According to Cornwall county council (came up when I googled!)

"You are not allowed to erect a new stile or gate on a public right of way unless:
You have applied for and received formal authorisation from the Highway Authority. (download an application form).
The stiles or gates are included as limitations on the Definitive Map and/or Statement (contact the Countryside Service for information on this)

Under the Highways Act 1980, a Highway Authority may only authorise landowners, tenants of occupiers to erect a stile or gate if it to prevent the 'ingress and egress' of animals on land which is used, or being brought into use for agricultural or forestry purposes.

There is a presumption against the authorisation of new structures on public rights of way. The onus will be on the applicant to prove the need for the structure and preference will be given to requests for gates over stiles. Stiles will only be considered as replacement structures where there is no local need for easier access and an alternative structure cannot be made suitably stock proof e.g. a self closing latched gate or a kissing gate."

So I expect the council would agree to the new barrier if it is needed but would probably want a kissing gate or self closing latched gate and not a stile. But you do need permission, and someone will def dob you in if you put it up without, they know their rights the ramblers

Edited to add if they do let you add a stile you can buy one here
http://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/f...tiles/footpath-r.o.w.-demarcation-stiles.aspx
(easier if someone sues you that you have bought one from respected maker rather than DIY'd)
They also sell kissing gates
http://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/type/footpath-r.o.w.-and-demarcation.aspx

 

[Coop]

Thanks guys thats very helpful, yes your right there is bound to be complaints, some people just have nothing better to do!! I willl email the friendly lady at the council who I complained to about pavingslabgate! x

 

[Alec Swan]

.......

Edited to add if they do let you add a stile you can buy one here
http://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/f...tiles/footpath-r.o.w.-demarcation-stiles.aspx
(easier if someone sues you that you have bought one from respected maker rather than DIY'd)
They also sell kissing gates
http://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/type/footpath-r.o.w.-and-demarcation.aspx

A kissing gate is the same as any other gate, except that it "kisses" rails in which ever position it falls. It's how the fence is built around the gate which makes it a kissing gate.

Generally, I'd advise against self closing gates, for the very simple reason that they work for a while, and then that's it! The bottom hinging system was made for heavy metal gates, and our modern wooden ones simply don't have the weight to make them work.

The best way to make end up with a style, is to build your own. They are both cheap and simple to make.

Jacksons, though a bit expensive make the best mass produced wooden gates available, in my opinion.

Alec.

 

[Honey08]

Sorry, tired tonight, so may not have understood, but is the extra stile within the field/your land, or onto a road/someone else's land?

We fenced a bit of one of our footpaths off to stop the horses getting into a boggy area with a big drain in it, We fenced the area off, then where the footpath was we simply left a gap wide enough for a human then put another single post about two feet in front, right in the middle of the gap, so humans can easily get round the posts but horses can't.. This wouldn't work onto a road or another person's land, but works well within our boundries. This has been up for over ten years and worked fine.

We fence our paths off where possible - its so much less worry!

 

[Coop]

Yes it is within the field not a new one to exit it. Oh thats quite a good idea actually. Far cheaper then a stile.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Yes it is within the field not a new one to exit it. Oh thats quite a good idea actually. Far cheaper then a stile.

The only issue with it might be a moan about lack of disabled access (I know I know but because its a new barrier the council will probably want a kissing gate instead).

However as it would be cheap and easy to instal and the vast majority of ramblers will be happy with it as long as they can get through easily, which they will, you could go ahead with it and just take the risk you might just be unlucky and be reported by a disabled rambler...

 

[Dolcé]

I would go with the post, new stiles have to be built to exact measurements and you leave yourself wide open if someone falls and it proves to be even a fraction of an inch out. You already have a stile walkers need to negotiate so I wouldn't worry too much about disabled access being a problem. I would have a word with the council 'rights of way' people though to let them know what you are doing so they are aware if people do complain.