SHARED USE ACCESS: LIVESTOCK CONTROL
Old Roman Road, Dolphinton
The Old Roman road between Dolphinton and West Linton is a firm, grassy track - ideal for
responsible access on horseback as well as for walking and cycling. Following past
problems with gates being left open and stock straying, the march gates were sometimes
padlocked, which meant that riders never knew whether they would be able to get along the
track. The locked gates also presented problems for walkers other than those able to climb
the gates. Various of the other gates along the track were also in a poor state of repair and
very difficult for any but the fittest to open or close. Those that were off their hinges were
described locally as “hernia gates” because it took so much effort to lift them open. The
difficulty closing gates, particularly when tied with old baler twine, meant that gates were far
more likely to be left open.
As part of the community initiated Tweed Trails project, funded was secured from Heritage
Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage to
replace the gates and to resolve drainage and other issues on a network of paths and tracks
identified by local communities as being the highest priority for public access. Recognising
farmers’ concerns about gates being left open, illegal vehicular access, risk of poaching and
other such problems, it was proposed that new bridlegates be installed adjacent to
replacement main gates, so that the main gate could be locked if required. Where there was
insufficient space or the ground was too soft for a separate bridlegate, Centrewire York 2-in1 gates were proposed which allowed farmers to lock the main gate without restricting
legitimate public access.
At first many of the farmers were reluctant to agree and questioned whether the gates would
really work as well as promised. Hamish Dykes, who farms South Slipperfield Farm and
also runs a fencing contract business, agreed to trial a couple of gates. Once Hamish had
satisfied himself that the gates really did work, and were reliably stockproof, he was able to
reassure other farmers, which counted far more than word from anyone else.
A newly installed bridlegate means that the main gate can still be locked to restrict vehicular
access but without restricting legitimate responsible multi-use access. Self-closing hinges
ensure that the bridle gate closes automatically behind riders to avoid any risk of stock
straying. Stockproof catches have proved the answer to farmers’ initial concerns that cattle
might inadvertently open the easy-latch by rubbing their head against it. The stockproof
latch has to be lifted at the same time as it is moved to the side, which is beyond the
capabilities or even the most canny cows!.
The new gates have also resolved issues with occasional illegal vehicular use and poaching,
and have proved popular with farmers as they can squeeze through on a quad without
having to unlock the main gate!
A Centrewire 2-in-1 gate at the march boundary of South Slipperfield alleviates any worry
about stock straying onto the road or adjacent golf course, whilst still allowing multi-use
access. The other half of the gate is usually locked to restrict illegal vehicular access, but
the gate can be opened full width when required for farm access.
Riders are delighted with the new gates. Once they had trained their horses to position
themselves correctly, they can open and close the gate without dismounting – far better than
the previous tangle of hurdles, wire and baler twine which had been erected to control
access across the old Roman road at this point.
Keys to success
 Choosing the right gate to suit farmers as well as riders is essential. Centrewire selfclosing bridlegates and York 2-in-1 gates are a lot more expensive than most
standard field gates, but the extra cost is more than justified.
 Locking gates to restrict illegal vehicular access, fly-tipping or other antisocial
behaviour is fine, provided there is an acceptable multi-use alternative adjacent or
close by.
 Horse riders need to be prepared to train themselves and their horses to negotiate
new features, just as they would to tackle new types of jump or dressage
manoeuvres.
VWG
1.3.16