I posted an article recently about the potential to install restrictive measures at the Black Path to prevent illegal access to the public footpath. The article followed concerns expressed by residents that off-road bikes were riding along the footpath and putting people at risk.
When these incidents were first reported people made it clear that they were not prepared to wait until an accident happened before something was done about the dangers posed to people using the footpath.
After the article was published the authorities confirmed that they would consider installing suitable preventative measures to restrict access to the Black Path. Since then I’ve been asked for more details about the type of physical restrictions that could be put in place.
Although the authorities will decide on a way forward I thought it might be helpful to look at similar restrictions that were installed at Chicken’s Green a couple of years ago following concerns expressed by residents that there was ‘an accident waiting to happen’ on the public footpath across the green between Dene Road and Corry Close. As a result anti-bike gates were installed at either side of the path to prevent illegal access. In addition, boulders were placed in the gap between the fencing at the bottom of Corry Close to stop vehicles coming onto the green from the East Street side.
By carrying out those measures the public footpath has been kept secure against trespass and has to date ensured the safety of people in and around the public footpath and open space at Chicken’s Green. All in all this stands as a proven example that with just a little bit of imagination and forethought accidents can be prevented before they happen.
Full details can be found in the link below published on these pages shortly after the safety measures were installed:
https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2021/02/reporting-bikes-and-off-road-vehicles.html