What's the point in replacing gates and stiles? It'll be covered in houses soon anyway

Jonathan, Auckland, New Zealand

This type of lunacy could have only come from the demented left wing. They live in a city so they must be right. Ha

I am disabled and enjoy the country side and take part in various country sports. May I sugest that gates should be strong enough to keep DEFRA in its offices and only let out when escorted by farmers and others who live and work in the countryside and only then when on a lead.
.
A.R. CARNWELL

Andrew R Carnwell, Nr. Leek, Staffordshire

Has it escaped the half wits behind this piece of thinking that the countryside is not a playground, there only for the entertainment of walkers, ramblers and picnic-ers?

It's a working area, for heaven's sake, and the gates/stiles are there to keep livestock in.

Surely an uneven surface in a field of livestock is not a safe place to be in a wheelchair anyway?

Katherine, Reading,

I don't think that a huge number of wheelchair users go on country walks.

Harry Grumbar, Bristol, UK

Julie Preddy, Horley, Surrey can you guarantee that a gate would be closed and secured every time it was used. Then it would be decided that metal or wooden gates are too heavy

knight, aberdeen, uk

I think the derogatory reference to “political correctness” is spot on in this case. It’s point of principle in the minds of the council, but, they need to remember that they are absorbing our collective resource to achieve this.

Is it not more politically correct to spend equally on all citizens per capita rather than disproportionably favouring those in specific minorities: where does it end? What about the poor waifs (a simmering majority) in our desolate state education system?

The question I have for the council is whether they can demonstrate cost benefit quantitatively? Or are they just being hoodwinked by semantics.

Leo , York,

In addition to the green and wheelchair friendly stiles, I think that all public rights of way should be canopied so that those who cannot hold up umbrellas, need not suffer on wet days.

I think the necessary budget should be taken from the nation's hospital budget as both are "health and safety" issues affecting dozens of wheelchair-bound, hill-climbers, and beach ramblers.

On the other hand why not spend that money on repairing the National Health Service and PRIORITISING the nation's money use, more appropriately.

Nick, perth,

Why do you attribute this to "political correctness" and to "changing attitudes to access for wheelchair users"?
A right of way shouldbe a right of way, not "a right of way for those able to undertake an obstacle course".

Ian Johnston, Oxford, Oxon

Honestly - how short sighted and I'm sorry but also - flippin ignorant! There is no reason why accessible gates should not be installed to allow access for wheelchair users. Pull your heads out of those dark places and notice many wheelchairs now enable rough ground to be travelled - lightweight and with better wheels etc.
Never seen a wheelchair when out walking? Well you've either had your eyes closed or you haven't been at the same places as us! My daughter had probably been to more places than most of you in her wheelchair - although I confess that when I took her photo at the top of Cader Idris she got there on my back (and no I am not some bloke built like the proverbial but a slightly built female!) - she has been down mines, around waterfalls, trekked over many a country walk with hills, rough terrain, rocks, gone up and down the huge sand banks on Shell Island - through squelshy mud - her wheels are dirtier than your boots! Stop this elitism/discrimination/ignorance!

Pat, Bristol, UK

Surely a disabled person in the countryside would have greater concerns than negotiating a stile. I cannot remember the last time I saw a wheelchair user skirting the edge of a ploughed field.

Greer Ford, Berkshire,

I think nostalgia can be over rated. After all, wife beating was a popular post-beer passtime among Millions of British men just a few short decades ago, mercury pills were a standard curative for decades, and pregnant women were recommended to drink as much Guinness as they could to ensure a healthy baby. Perhaps the stile needs a modern rethink... and what is wrong with an extra wide kissing gate... you could fit a few more kisses in maybe?

AJ, Oxford, UK

How is making the countryside more accessible to the disabled 'political correctness'?

Meg, Pembs,

Aren't your readers lucky that they are not disabled or old and prevented from accessing public rights of way because of obstructions? Surely, we should want everyone to be able to access the countryside and enjoy walking footpaths?
I salute the Government for its intention to pursue this laudable aim and congratulate those local authorities who are implementing the Disability Discrimination Act. It is obvious , reading your corresondents' letters, that legislation is necessary if some are not to be more equal than others

Diane Andrewes, Southampton, England

Oh for heaven's sake. Why does Britain want hordes of people trampling and wheeling! up the countryside anyway? Absolutely agree with Newcastle blogger. Take another bloody way then. We all have to make accommodations in life.

sydney, New York, usa

Sir,
A stile is provided as an aid to walkers climbing over a fence, and a fence is there to keep livestock in and potentially damaging modes of transport out.
There are plenty of public paths termed bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic that are suitable for a wide spectrum of disabled users. These are usually wider, often more level, frequently equipped with user friendly gates and are clearly marked on ordinance survey maps.
Therefore please do not burden our farmers or our councils with yet another way to waste precious time and money !!

Hilary Jubert, Billingshurst, West Sussex

Some comments here are terribly short sighted. I have a mobility disability that makes using stiles difficult and, more worrying to me, dangerous - I am not a wheelchair user. i enjoy a walk and it is good for me to continue to have this exercise.
I have and want to continue holidaying in this country and enjoying our glorious countryside - but should I be prevented from doing that by a condition I have no control over and when a simple change can be made to ensure I, and others in my position, can do so. Many elderly people would also find stiles difficult - is access to the countryside to become elitist?

L Scriven, London,

What next, do we have to level the hills off if they are too steep for wheelchairs?
I am a keen walker and mountaineer and like others who have posted here, I have yet to see someone struggling up a mountain or difficult path in a wheelchair or pushing a buggy.
I have nothing against people with disabilities, but we all do what we are capable of. If its too difficult for you then TAKE ANOTHER ROUTE as this ones probably not for you!
As for stiles being too difficult for small children, well that's not true, both my kids could handle them (with great delight at the novelty) at the age of 3, it is all part of the adventure of the great outdoors.
This is yet another example of this country taking a law designed to ensure common sense and fairness to the extreme.

Al, Newcastle, UK

In the Vale of Glamorgan it is planned to create the least restrictive access to rural public rights of way where that is practicable. The local disability groups agree there is no need to have 100% gates or concrete paths and prefer small lengths within the network for all users to enjoy. Wheelchair users, pram pushers and visually impaired with gude dogs do not expect to mount Snowdon no more than fit walkers expect to be facilitated up the Eiger.


David Field
Access Forum Vale of Glamorgan

David Field, Peterston-super-Ely, UK

I live in a village in which we assist people with disabilities to negotiate stiles & kissing gates. Should we now be thinking of laying tarmac paths to the peaks of Snowden, Ben Nevis and even perhaps Everest? Is this not positive discrimination that has perhaps gone a tad too far? Can I insist that my local town lay grassy paths to ensure that I feel at home?

Jon, Brixworth, Northants

On first reading this this is just the sort of thing Id be disgusted by. However I can see the point in this one. There are some great river walks in Oxford, nothing beats a few drinks in the summer and walk by the river with good friends. However one is partially disabled and on walks with 2 crutches. There are those awkward gates every so often and we all have to take time out to pass over crutches and then our friend. This is a needless excercise not to mention undoubtedly embarassing for him.
Is it really that much of an issue to make routes through the countryside purposely inaccessible for people with physical impairments. Why do we need to complete an obsticle course and team building excersise everytime we go for a walk?

Toby, Oxford,

I am a very 'able' w/chair user who uses an electric bike attachment, which fits onto the front of my chair. Top speed on the road is approx 10mph & is capable of crossing rough ground with care. Where I live I walk my dog across the countryside and am very frustrated that I cannot access lots of footpaths due to styles and kissing gates.
I realise that I am but one person in my area, but if gates that needed replacing where w/chair friendly then that would be great. What I do object to is that some footpaths have had styles recently installed which has now blocked that path for me and other residents who may not be w/chair reliant but elderly or ambulant disabled.
Most able bodied persons take a lot for granted things that we crips have to be grateful for! Public access should mean access to all. The countryside does not stay muddy all year and family members etc can push you up hills. So it’s not PC its just common sense as far as I‘m concerned.

bill, westcott, bucks

I think it’s a great idea! Bigger kissing gates are just what we need. If we get them then it will have all kinds of benefits. Like...... ummm.... like....ummmm...... hang on.... I’ll think of something... keep reading.......

Ok I was trying to present a counter argument.... but can't think of one. Do they make 4x4 wheelchairs with gears like mountain bikes??

Anyway....

This story reminds me of the scene in The Life Of Brian where Reg... who likes to be called Loretta, what’s to have the right to conceive a child despite being a man and not being in the possession of a womb! ..... My point is.... this, there is no point, and it’s pointless. Thanks for reading my rant!

Mis Mintowt-Czyz, cardiff, wales

Err Charles, Bath - we will regularly have our 2 year old in an off-road buggy in all sorts of strange places, and having to physically lift it over various stiles and swinging gates can be a right pain................ maybe we're not in our right mind?

charlie, sevenoaks, kent

Having grown up in the countryside with kissing gates and stiles.Using them as a child was always fun and added to the enjoyment of the walk, when I becam a parent with children in buggies they never deterred us from family walks and now I watch my children clamber over stiles with a sense of achievement and racing to the next kissing gate to hold it open for us. As other readers have pointed out, stiles and kissing gates are usually on awkward paths that require a sure foot and assistance for the young an infirm before you ever reach a stile so I can see no benefit in this change whatsover. Political correctness goes mad once more!

Paul, Ynys Mon,

Had anyone thought of those disabled people whose mobility is impaired but are not wheelchair users? I fit into that category and have to say a ground level route would be a lot safer and easier for me, and I'm sure plenty of others who find themselves in the same situation.
Is it acceptable that access is only for those able to clamber over stiles?
I don't think so - I enjoy our beautiful countryside and we have all our holidays in this country, camoing or caravanning, but should my enjoyment be curtailed because of physical issues I cannot control?
L Scriven London

L Scriven, London,

This is just madness. I and the friends I have spoken to are disgusted. It is unbelievable that resources are being used to destroy the whole countryside in this way. Who in their right mind would try to get a wheelchair or buggy through fields and muddy paths to just to get to use a 'fabulous' new stile. Does that mean the paths etc will have to be concreted over? Why can't these people just leave what has been part of the beauty and the great fabric of our countryside alone?

Shane Ryan, London, United Kingdom

What a load of rubbish. How many disabled peolpe (those who are disabled such that can't get through kissing gates etc) go walking anyway. I am a keen walker and have never ever seen a wheelchair being pushed along a typical hiking walk route, with or without gates!

Alan, Midlands,

The CROW Act 2000 required Councils to produce a Rights of Way Improvement Plan and this specifically sought to address the needs of those with mobility problems. In this context it worth noting that the elderly , disabled and family groups , dog walkers etc represent 50% of all walkers and this group when surveyed stated that difficult to negotiate stiles were on of the main physical obstacles which discouraged them using public paths more.

The current campaign is only voluntary and over emotional references to wheel chairs only serves to overstate the realities. Public rights of way are highways and I wonder how many dissenters would tolerate a stile on the pavement out side their house. Three cheers I say for Suffolk Council who clearly understands the issues involved and have reacted to government direction and their customer’s wishes. There are may Highways Authorities who do not. !

John Ives Bristol

JOHN IVES, BRISTOL,

How many people in whellchairs actually go into the country? What is far more important is providing wheelchair access to the Whispering Gallery in St. Paul's cathederal. This could be acheived by installing a lift in the middle of the dome. While they're at it, more staff using sign language should be employed, to allow the deaf to appreceiate it.

Simon, E. Grinstead, W. Sussex

This ludicrous effort to be ever more politically correct has to stop somewhere, before this once great nation is brought toits knees with the costs. I had thought that the pendulum was beginning to swing as people awoke to the effect of grasping politicians dreaming up yet more stupid ideas in order to collect just that one more vote. It is time to tell them we've had enough - get on with the job that we pay you for, that of running the country effectively with the money we provide. If there's something we need, we'll tell you.

David Carver-Trotter, Plymouth, Devon

Food shortages all over the world.Is there any othergovernment in tthe world doing more to cripple its own agriculture than this one ? this is just another nail in coffin.Lunatics and Asylums comes to mind.

william uttley, vire, france

It's time for local government to grow a spine and not claim that they are forced into absurd and wasteful expenditure by poor-quality legislation. Private business has to cope with nonsensical regulation all the time and tries to make the best of a bad job.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

All that is required of anyone is the removal of unnecessary barriers to provide reasonable access. Not exactly an arduous or draconian measure! And there are some extremely simple but effective alternatives to traditional gates available such as the Crosbie Gate, which fit seamlessly into the countryside without any visual intrusion but are easy for all to use without risking stock.
This is neither rocket science nor political correctness, it is simply humans treating humans with dignity and respect

Vin West (Arfon Access Group), Caernarfon, Gwynedd

ONE IDEA COMES TO MIND , COMMON SENSE, I spoke to a bus driver once and ask him how many times a disabled person in a wheelchair has tried to board his
bus and he told me twice in 30 years he had been driving
around barnsley centre in south York's.
I WALK EVERY WEEK in the countryside and have never yet met up with a disabled hiker .

george william taylor, hull, uk

Up until 2 years ago, I was a keen rambler. This joy was taken away when I got MS. We have just bought a Trekinetic all terrain manual wheelchair which allows us access back into my beloved countryside. It manages most rough ground easily. However, no OS maps exist to identify where stiles are. You can imagine the frustration when we have to turn back on a walk if we encounter a stile. I for one, selfishly, would love stiles to be replaced with gates on the basis that the rest of the route was accessible to wheelchairs. Clearly if the route is steep/rocky, etc. it would be ridiculous. Woodland Trust have kindly agreed to fit a RADAR key lock to a 5-bar gate at a local woods to allow me access to a favourite walk. Hats off to them!

Julie Preddy, Horley, Surrey

I'd like to see somone in a wheelchair get up (or down) Jacobs Ladder!

Thomas Rowe, Nottingham,

@Dr Kevin Law - absolutely nothing. Iron fisted control is the ultimate aim.

No doubt when a wheelchair user crashes to their death, the Health & Safety brigade will just close the paths.

graham goodfellow, Leeds, UK

As someone who lives in North Devon, next to the coastal footpaths and cliffs I know the answer. Tarmac the foot paths, level the inclines, make all gates accesible to all. If the inclines are to steep, drive man made gulleys through them, with more tarmac. This should make the cliff edges accesible.
The cliff edges themselves with their 20 to 200 meter drops will need to be fenced off with a 2meter high barrier and exclusion zone. Don't forget plenty of warning signs everywhere incase someone jumps, slips, or gets stung.
Welcome to our now accesible and unspoilt countryside......

Nigel Karslake, Bideford, Devon

I don't see what the problem is. I suppose they will also be installing flush toilets every half mile for those disabled by bowel complaints. Or does disability just mean wheelchairs? I fear it probably does.

Liz, Bristol, UK

This is pathetic and laughable.
Every stile that I have ever seen in this area is at the end of a very muddy track, or a wide open muddy field, or up a steep grass slope.
What is the point of making the stile more accessible when it's 1,000 yards from the nearest point that anyone in their right mind would take a wheelchair or a pram?

Charles, Bath, UK

Access for wheelchairs by default means access (legal or otherwise) for motorcycles and bicycles.

Has anyone actually complained that they can't get their wheelchair onto a rural path or muddy field or is a problem being created where it does not exist.

In the interests of transparency let's see the numbers.

M Jeffs, Bucks, UK

I use a wheelchair, and I live in rural Wales, what is the point of changing the kissing gates, most of the walks are along unmade tracks and routes which have inclines and totally wheelchair unfriendly, so what are we going to do about them..? concrete all the tracks over..... flatten the mountains of Snowdonia ?

Come on, get real, we don't need bigger gates or concrete paths, lets spend money where we need it and not waste it on stupid ideas like this.

This government is using us disabled people as the excuse for their failings....

Keith M Verrall, Criccieth, Nth Wales, UK

The government only want people to visit the countryside now, so they can see it before it is concreted over!

Pete, St Albans, England

Do I recogmise Kimmeridge in the background and the footpath to Gadd cliff in the above photo? beautiful but a gentle incline not that easy for a wheel chair.

The government must stop meddling, they know nothing about the countryside , farmers are depressed and angry and feel thoroughly abused by regulation after regulation. This government is interferring far too much and is considerably out of its depth with matters relating to rural communities.

Maggie Snook, wool wareham, Dorset uk

Someone in a wheelchair can't climb rockfaces. We'd better put escalators on all of them.

P Robbins, Cornwall,

Roll out the barbed wire! - and provide the wheelchair ramblers with wire cutters.

Peter Close, berwick-upon-Tweed, UK

And across the pond developers built along side cotton
fields and there was a uproar over crop dusters (aerial pesticide
spraying).
The farms were there long before development and yet they
built knowing full well... And people without a clue bought.
We too have a PC nanny state. Government wants to tell us
to live our lives as they see fit.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

And for once Brussels and the EU are not the culprits.
lLse Luyten, Belgium

Ilse Luyten, Belgium,

Whilst I have the greatest sympathy for those who cannot get around without a wheelchair, this is another example of political correctness gone mad.

Paul Foster, Epping, NSW Australia

A few years ago my brother-in-law, a cattle farmer, received complaints from new residents over the smell from his farm His offer of replacing the fields with green concrete and the animals with plastic models was thought to be a sensible idea by several of the complainants. Surely the replacement of stiles can easily be solved by the installation of electric gates with sensores so that the "walkers' do not have to leave the moving walkway when enjoying the countryside?

Paul Bonner, Tasmania, Australia

is there nothing this interferring government doesnt want to change.

Dr Kevin Law, Dundee, UK