Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: signage for private land.  (Read 3989 times)

vixstix

  • Joined Jan 2016
signage for private land.
« on: November 24, 2016, 03:52:37 pm »
I need some carefully worded signs to inform the public that my land is private. I'm happy for people to still have access to it for dog walking etc but I need them to know this is not a right.
Any help?

Sbom

  • Joined Jul 2012
  • Staffordshire
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2016, 06:14:45 pm »
I dont know about footpaths but if you can proof you have been riding across somewhere for 20 yrs (maybe 25? )it can be officially declared a bridle path...
i think if it closed for one day a year it stops that happening  :thinking:
not sure if this applies to footpaths though but may be worth checking

No idea about signs.. id google it  :innocent:

harmony

  • Joined Feb 2012
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2016, 06:33:35 pm »
I need some carefully worded signs to inform the public that my land is private. I'm happy for people to still have access to it for dog walking etc but I need them to know this is not a right.
Any help?


You need to be a clearer. Does your land have a right of way over it? If so they do have the right to use the right of way.

pharnorth

  • Joined Nov 2013
  • Cambridgeshire
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2016, 07:50:16 pm »
Where abouts are you?  There are some differences England, Wales Scotland I believe. Here (England) local landowners put up Permissive footpath/ bridle path signs. Some of these are linked to certain land use grants but it enables the farmer to withdraw access when they chose too/ or the grant is no longer claimable. The National Trust also has some permissive bridle ways where it restricts access to summer months only.  The signs say something along the lines of : Permissive path, members of the public are welcome to use this path at the discretion of the landowner but all dogs must be on a lead and please ensure no litter is left, gates are closed etc.

The bridle path ones usually require the rider to have the permission of the landowner.

harmony

  • Joined Feb 2012
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2016, 08:32:20 pm »
Where abouts are you?  There are some differences England, Wales Scotland I believe. Here (England) local landowners put up Permissive footpath/ bridle path signs. Some of these are linked to certain land use grants but it enables the farmer to withdraw access when they chose too/ or the grant is no longer claimable. The National Trust also has some permissive bridle ways where it restricts access to summer months only.  The signs say something along the lines of : Permissive path, members of the public are welcome to use this path at the discretion of the landowner but all dogs must be on a lead and please ensure no litter is left, gates are closed etc.

The bridle path ones usually require the rider to have the permission of the landowner.


Anyone can decide to have a permissive path across their land and as such can withdraw the path at any time. The National Trust did indeed have a large number of permissive paths which many have now been dedicated. Many permissive paths are not signed and generally are only known to those people local to them. Some permissive paths are I believe on the OS maps as such.


There are no grants for landowners to open paths currently but it may well be something built into future farm payments post brexit.


Permissive paths are generally not the responsibility of the local authority so any maintenance would fall entirely with the landowner.

DavidandCollette

  • Joined Dec 2012
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2016, 09:08:40 am »
Just remember that if you have effectively given permission for the public to use your land you are accepting responsibility anyone may sustain thereon

vixstix

  • Joined Jan 2016
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2016, 10:04:51 am »
Thanks everyone. Apologies for not explaining the situation more clearly.
My woodland is in Wales. There is a public footpath which runs for 20 yards along the boundary before turning sharp left over a stile. At the turning a few locals are in the habit of continuing along the boundary fence, on my woodland while their dogs run around. There are many places along the boundary fence where people can walk straight into the woodland.
I have no desire to antagonise everyone by stopping this, but I equally don't want a host of prescriptive easement claims.
I also understand that if anyone, trespasser/kids playing/dog walkers etc is injured whilst on my land, with or without my permission, I am liable. Getting public liability insurance when there is a stream, old slate quarries, and a section of public footpath is proving a challenge.
I had hoped to put a sign saying something along the lines of ," you may walk in these woods with the owners permission. This is entirely at your own risk''.
I suspect I'm going to need a specialist lawyer again.

harmony

  • Joined Feb 2012
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2016, 11:11:19 am »
You are quite right we all responsible for anyone who comes on to our land invited or not. I think I would put signs clearly marking the right of way so there is no doubt where people should be going. If you feel you would like to allow access in your woodland, all be it permissive, you could discuss this with the rights of way manager at your local authority first. Then you can decide if it is something you want to do before getting a solicitor involved.

pharnorth

  • Joined Nov 2013
  • Cambridgeshire
Re: signage for private land.
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2016, 04:03:00 pm »
It is a great shame when liability and fear of being sued means landowners start to withdraw access to areas that people have enjoyed for years. We have had two cases locally recently where people have tried to sue the landowner for damage they had incurred while on their land. When there is no advantage beyond good will for letting someone on your land why should you take the risk?  Fortunately in both cases this was pointed out to the people involved (by other local dog walkers and riders) and they withdrew.

 

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