Oxfordshire Way Footpath, dogs, electric fence

Tue 24 Dec 2024, 16:55

The OCC footpaths officer has confirmed that this is legal, and I have sent her email on to you, Emily

Mon 23 Dec 2024, 10:14

Even if it should be there and lowered. If you’re walking with large dogs or children there is limited space. I am also puzzled why Mr Widdows has not moved the electric fencing away from the main walking fence/exit as there would still be plenty of room for his sheep to move about, yet has not secured other parts of the field.

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 23:23

Emily, it's not blocking it! It's lower than your average stile step, and the farmer seemed well aware of the legalities when I spoke to him. He's got to keep his sheep secure, while allowing walkers through .. and it does exactly that!

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 17:43

It doesn’t matter how high or low it is John, it is still blocking the right of way. It should not be there. End of. 

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 17:41 (last edited on Sun 22 Dec 2024, 18:39)

It has been brought to my attention that there are some access concerns when using the two public footpaths in the field at the bottom of pound hill where there are currently some livestock grazing. The electric fence has been placed to keep them within the fields. We have followed the instructions on the Oxfordshire county council site which is compliant with the law. The fence has been tampered with previously and we would ask people not to do this for their own safety and that of others as well as the livestock.

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 15:51 (last edited on Sun 22 Dec 2024, 15:57)

I'm there now, and can't see that there's a problem .. let alone a criminal offence! The upper wire is only about two feet off the ground .. easy enough for anyone to step over .. and it's insulated with the blue tubing shown in the picture.

If that's really too hard, then the farmer has left a gap (well-trodden, so obviously used by many) along the fenceline so that those who can't get their leg over, so to speak, can cut down to (or up from) Watery Lane itself.

Edited to add: the farmer's just turned up, and is adjusting it to make even easier for the vertically-challenged.

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 13:38 (last edited on Sun 22 Dec 2024, 13:40)

The sheep are in the other field.

It is a criminal offence, under section 137 of the Highways Act 1980, to obstruct the whole or part of the width of a public path. Obstructions may include barbed wire on the top rail of a stile; or rubbish dumped on, or a garden boundary extended over, a right of way. Or in this case, an electrified fence. 

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 13:35

I think I saw sheep in there the other day. 

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 12:11 (last edited on Sun 22 Dec 2024, 12:12)

We've just been down there now and the field is completely fenced in. The Oxfordshire Way has been deliberately blocked for no valid reason.

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 11:17

Ours was in the field next to Watery Lane. The field just before the pop-up Christmas tree farm. Lesley contacted OCC and they were writing to the landowner but given it's Christmas, we haven't had a response. 

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 10:18

Margie - I have sent you an email about this.

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 10:03

And via OCC website? Countryside Access/ Public Rights of Way.

This seems to be  the same issue on which Lesley and Emily Algar commented on Dec 15th.

Sun 22 Dec 2024, 08:30

Does anyone know a safe way to get dogs across the electric fence on the Oxfordshire Way Footpath just above Watery Lane?  A few days ago a kind passerby suggested stepping on the fence but there is now a sign on the fence that it is live.  There is no way to detach the fence; there is blue tubing on some of the fence but the wires are exposed.  Thanks.  PS - yes, I have written to landowner to ask as well.