Public right of way?

It amazes me sometimes whilst we are going on our Geocaching walks as to how often the footpaths are often blocked by the actions of farmers. The majority are fine, and it is the minority but it does sometimes make experiencing the delights of the countryside very difficult. Other examples of not just blocking the public right of way, but making things difficult include planting crops over the footpath, increasing the height of stiles and even blocking or preventing dogs from passing through stiles.

We were recently Geocaching around the village of Twycross (which is famous for its zoo) in Warwickshire when we came across this:

Geocaching around Twycross - Electric fence blocking the path

It is a little difficult to tell from the photo but the footpath had an electric fence passing across it. There was no way of walking to the other side of the field (as indicated by the waymarker). We had to either straddle over the electric fence (ouch) or crawl under it (which we did).

The other side of the field we were presented with a locked gate. A sign on the other side of the road points towards the gate indicating a public footpath, so we knew it was the correct way through. But has it been maintained as a public right of way. NO! We had to climb over the gate to get to the other side!

Geocaching around Twycross - Locked gate preventing footpath access

This Geocaching hobby certainly gives us a workout! As well as the miles of walking, there is the climbing, straddling, ducking and sometimes diving (especially when the bovine residents are approaching at speed)!

Mick