The PC has had a number of questions regarding the legality of Public Footpaths being closed at this time.
Whilst it is frustrating it seems the public largely has only themselves to blame. Local farmers have only done this after consultation with the NFU and out of desperation; as we are seeing all too frequently at the moment the selfish behaviour of what is probably a minority spoils it for the majority.
The reality is that the volume of people using the footpath has risen exponentially, locals and non-locals, and people are not simply sticking to the public pathways. Farmers have very valid and real concerns about touching metal gates that others have used and becoming infected themselves, sticking to designated footpaths GENERALLY means that you use styles rather than gates.
We also have local farmers with livestock in their fields often with lambs or calves with them at this time of year. Imagine how you would feel if a complete stranger, maybe with a large dog, approached your newborn!
Our local farmers are having to deal with uncontrollable dogs not on leads, people claiming to be lost and wandering anywhere they please, electric fencing being dismantled and moved, gates being left open and cows being hassled by people who have no respect for animals and the countryside.
REMEMBER EVERY DOG SHOT FOR WORRYING LIVESTOCK IS THE PET OF SOMEONE WHO ARROGANTLY ASSUMES THEIR BELOVED PET WOULD NOT DO THAT!
The residents of Barwick Park are also fed up with people wandering around their PRIVATE garden areas, including around the lake and the grotto.
The footpath from Rexes Lane goes along the drive to Barwick House for a very short distance and then cuts across the field up to the stile on Two Towers lane (not up to the Fish Tower as many people seem to think).
THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE FISH TOWER, THE ROSE TOWER OR TO THE PINNACLE OR INDEED TO THE GROTTO.
Remember that public footpaths generally cross PRIVATE LAND please:
- do not to stray off paths into private property;
- respect all livestock, keep your distance;
- KEEP DOGS ON LEADS at all times on private land (especially in the current lockdown circumstances);
- If you do have to open a gate ensure you close it behind you;
- ALWAYS CLEAR UP AFTER YOUR DOG and take the bagged excrement with you to dispose of in a council provided bin or in your own dustbin.