SHARED USE ACCESS: LIVESTOCK CONTROL
Old Roman Road, Dolphinton
The Old Roman road between Dolphinton and West Linton is a firm, grassy track - ideal for responsible access on horseback as well as for walking and cycling. Following past problems with gates being left open and stock straying, the march gates were sometimes padlocked, which meant that riders never knew whether they would be able to get along the track. The locked gates also presented problems for walkers other than those able to climb the gates. Various of the other gates along the track were also in a poor state of repair and very difficult for any but the fittest to open or close. Those that were off their hinges were described locally as “hernia gates” because it took so much effort to lift them open. The difficulty closing gates, particularly when tied with old baler twine, meant that gates were far more likely to be left open.
As part of the community initiated Tweed Trails project, funded was secured from Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage to replace the gates and to resolve drainage and other issues on a network of paths and tracks identified by local communities as being the highest priority for public access. Recognising farmers’ concerns about gates being left open, illegal vehicular access, risk of poaching and other such problems, it was proposed that new bridlegates be installed adjacent to replacement main gates, so that the main gate could be locked if required. Where there was insufficient space or the ground was too soft for a separate bridlegate, Centrewire York 2-in-1 gates were proposed which allowed farmers to lock the main gate without restricting legitimate public access.
At first many of the farmers were reluctant to agree and questioned whether the gates would really work as well as promised. Hamish Dykes, who farms South Slipperfield Farm and also runs a fencing contract business, agreed to trial a couple of gates. Once Hamish had satisfied himself that the gates really did work, and were reliably stockproof, he was able to reassure other farmers, which counted far more than word from anyone else.
A newly installed bridlegate means that the main gate can still be locked to restrict vehicular access but without restricting legitimate responsible multi-use access. Self-closing hinges ensure that the bridle gate closes automatically behind riders to avoid any risk of stock straying. Stockproof catches have proved the answer to farmers’ initial concerns that cattle might inadvertently open the easy-latch by rubbing their head against it. The stockproof latch has to be lifted at the same time as it is moved to the side, which is beyond the capabilities or even the most canny cows!.
The new gates have also resolved issues with occasional illegal vehicular use and poaching, and have proved popular with farmers as they can squeeze through on a quad without having to unlock the main gate!
A Centrewire 2-in-1 gate at the march boundaryof South Slipperfieldalleviates any worry about stock straying onto the road or adjacent golf course, whilst still allowing multi-use access. The other half of the gate is usually locked to restrict illegal vehicular access, but the gate can be opened full width when required for farm access.
Riders are delighted with the new gates. Once they had trained their horses to position themselves correctly, they can open and close the gate without dismounting – far better than the previous tangle of hurdles, wire and baler twine which had been erected to control access across the old Roman road at this point.
Keys to success
Choosing the right gate to suit farmers as well as riders is essential. Centrewire self-closing bridlegates and York 2-in-1 gates are a lot more expensive than most standard field gates, but the extra cost is more than justified.
Locking gates to restrict illegal vehicular access, fly-tipping or other antisocial behaviour is fine, provided there is an acceptable multi-use alternative adjacent or close by.
Horse riders need to be prepared to train themselves and their horses to negotiate new features, just as they would to tackle new types of jump or dressage manoeuvres.
VWG
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