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Apr 2020
7:46pm, 4 Apr 2020
34,602 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Rules may be different in Scotland. I'm gonna check.
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Apr 2020
8:03pm, 4 Apr 2020
2,027 posts
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um
Happy (or the Grrrr part) - there's quite a few paths that pass through the farm or 'next to' farm accommodation. I can understand farmers or residents wanting to redirect away from there and round a field.
Equally, many of the paths (and some of the roads) I use are not wide enough for a natural / easy 2m separation. But so far I've found no problem with any other users just being courteous, understanding and waiting or choosing a natural 'passing place' that may not actually be 'on the path'.
Equally all landowners/farmers/farm workers, and indeed everyone else, except 1 black van driver, I've passed (running, walking and cycling, queued for the shop with etc etc) have been friendly and chatty - while keeping a respectful distance. I think (at least here) everyone knows 'we're in it together, for good or bad'.
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Apr 2020
8:10pm, 4 Apr 2020
34,603 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Exactly um. Si it should be fine for land owners to close some paths where they think it is unsafe for walkers and their workers to coexist. And the councils should support that.
Walkers (and runners inc me) can choose to go somewhere else. Landowners and their workers can't.
Legislation needs to support that. And we, as responsible walkers and runners, do too.
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Apr 2020
8:15pm, 4 Apr 2020
6,984 posts
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jda
No of course it shouldn’t be fine for the gerrof-my-landers to arbitrarily shut paths just because they feel like it. The idea that touching a gate is going to pass it on is just paranoid nonsense. It’s airborne respiratory disease like colds and flu. It’s only about 10x more dangerous than flu FFS and no-one gives a stuff about touching gates every winter!
The reason the social distancing matters is that the epidemic needs controlling at the population level, not that it is so deadly that we have to dress up in hazmat suits and hide away for months.
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Apr 2020
8:17pm, 4 Apr 2020
15,529 posts
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Rosehip
It's more or less all arable around here, with no need (mostly) to touch a gate - but if a farmer wants to close a path I'd have no objections
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Apr 2020
8:27pm, 4 Apr 2020
39,395 posts
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Derby Tup
The problem is will the farmer want to re-open the path when this situation comes to an end?
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Apr 2020
8:34pm, 4 Apr 2020
1,547 posts
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bonners
I'm with jda on this, some, not all, landowners will be chomping at the bit to shut rights of way down.
And to echo DT, I wonder how keen they would be to reopen them?
Having said all that I've been avoiding any narrow paths on my running and mainly sticking to roads which may not be as pretty but Re nice and quiet.
Does anybody know the risk of being infected off a surface like a stile?
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Apr 2020
8:38pm, 4 Apr 2020
10,797 posts
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larkim
Late to this party, but agree with jda. We are all under instruction to live within a sensible set of easy to follow rules which will, if properly followed, control the rate of infection as best as we can at the moment. Being paranoid about every potential source of infection by trying to impose higher standards on the community because of individual desires to be even more cautious and then creating debate on debate is unhelpful.
Currently the high traffic areas that are likely to pass on infection are indoor ones - public transport (and stations etc) and supermarkets. High traffic areas (still) with lots of surfaces to touch, sneeze on, cough on, have kids touch (if they can’t be left at home). Plus tower blocks with communal handrails, lifts, doors as well as work environments in factories, power plant controls, etc etc.
If we are guided to tolerate risks in those situations, surely to goodness the risk associated with outdoor handles is next to nonexistent.
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Apr 2020
9:30pm, 4 Apr 2020
15,533 posts
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Rosehip
good argument Larkim
_ it's just the poor livestock farmers with gates either side of their farmyard and a population that still isn't staying home when told to, that I feel sorry for.
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Apr 2020
10:01pm, 4 Apr 2020
34,604 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Rosehip. That's me. Well my wife. Others, please be careful with your stereotyping of land owners and farmers as against walkers. We spend thousands on maintaining gates and paths. The least we can expect is not to be put at increased risk of disease.
And my understanding is that it is highly possible for transmission on plastic wood and especially metal surfaces which is what our gates are. Do hsvdcs little compassion please. Let's all be kind. G
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Starting training again after Covid-19
Feb 2023