[Talk-GB] To delete or not to delete, that is the question...

[Steve Dobson]

Nick

On 20/08/11 14:52, Phil Endecott wrote:
> Nick Whitelegg wrote:
>> Around Easter 2010, IIRC, I surveyed what appeared to be a footpath in
>> good faith:
>>
>> I was then given a hard time by the landowner about trespassing etc.
> 
> The landowner has told you that it is not a footpath.  Please delete
> it.  (Or re-tag as private.)

Has it been checked that it isn't a public footpath?

Some years ago, before hand held GPS devices were common, I was out on a
country hike with some friends.  We were walk across on a field on what
was clearly a footpath, although there was no sign by the road and no
attempt had been made by the farmer to make a reasonably passable
crossing in the hedge.

While we were on the path were were approached (but not closely) by the
farmer.  He was carrying a shot gun, correctly, in the crock of his arm
and with two hunting dogs in toe.  He asked us, politely, to get off his
land.  I stated that I thought that it was a public footpath and held up
the OS map that I had with me.  The farmer denied that we were on a
public footpath and repeated his request for us to get off his land,
which we did.

I learnt afterwards that this is a common ploy by some farmers (not all
by any means).  If a farmer can show that a public footpath is not in
common use then they can request it's public status be revoked and, if
successful, plough over the path.

I would recommend that you contact your local Ramblers group.  I
understand (I have never been a Rambler) that they are keen to keep all
our public footpaths in the public domain.  I also understand that they
make it a point to walk along any path regularly where the farmer was
not meeting his legal obligations to keep such footpaths accessible to
the public.  Although I will admit that this happened over ten years ago
and things may be different now.

Steve

-- 
Steve Dobson