Footpaths

As mentioned in the January 2008 Froyle Village Magazine, we are publishing a map, supplied by the Froyle Estate, showing all of the Public and Permissive Rights of Way. To explain the whole situation concerning Rights of Way, this page contains a reproduction of the article from the Village Magazine.
You can access the maps, either by following the More link at the end of the article, or by clicking here. It is also available as a download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format by clicking here.

Footpaths & Access to the Froyle Estate

Introduction

Recently there has been some interest in the Parish magazine in relation to access to the Froyle Estate. In order to try and help clarify some queries, The Estate, following consultation with its farmers and the shoot has submitted this article for publication. In addition a map of the Estate showing all of the Public and Permissive Rights of Way has been made available and will appear on the village website www.froyle.com. This article starts with basic information on Public Access. Many readers will already be aware of this information, but the article has gone back to these basics to cater for all villagers, including those who may not be aware of the rules on Public Access. The Estate hopes that readers will find this article helpful and informative.

Rights of Way – Your Rights and Responsibilities

Footpaths represent important access to the countryside around Froyle, but they pass through someone else’s land from which they have to make a living. Please help by respecting this property and keeping to the rights of way.
Footpaths are for walkers (not cyclists or horses). They are either a Public Right of Way or Permissive Access (see below).
Bridleways are for horse riders, but may also be used by walkers and cyclists (cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders). Again they are either a Public Right of Way or Permissive Access.
Farm Tracks, unless Public or Permissive Access is identified over farm tracks they are simply private access for farm and Estate use.
The Right to Roam is a common cause for confusion. There is no general right for the public to walk, or roam freely in the countryside. The right to roam applies to specifically designated land, known as Open Access Land and allows a broader scope of access than the Public Right of Way Network. However there is no right to roam, or Open Access Land on the Froyle Estate. Therefore access is only available via the Public, or Permissive Rights of Way.

Permissive Access

The Froyle Estate has in recent years created over 11 km of permissive footpaths and bridleways. These link into the Public Right of Way network, and improve the access to the Estate. This Permissive Access has been provided by the permission of the farmers and landowners.
The routes of these permissive footpaths and bridleways were carefully considered, and avoid the more sensitive areas of the Estate where public access would be detrimental to the conservation work being carried out. The public is welcome to enjoy the Estate, and the Permissive Access has been provided to enable this. However, we ask you to stay to the marked routes and to keep your dogs under close control, or on a lead.
As Permissive Access is granted by the consent of the farmers and landowners changes to these permissive routes may occur in the future. The majority of the Permissive Access is due to be reviewed in 2010.

Path Maintenance

For Rights of Way crossing fields there may be occasions when the Right of Way is disturbed. This normally occurs when ploughing, and other cultivations are undertaken. In these circumstances the farmer will re-instate the Right of Way as soon as he is able, and within the normal 14 day timescale.
There are several authorities involved with the various paths mentioned above. The main responsibility for maintenance of Public Rights of Way is Hampshire County Council. Routine work is no longer undertaken, but if there is a particular problem they may be able to deal with it. Signs and waymarking of Public Rights of Way falls under HCC’s responsibility, unfortunately signs are repeatedly torn down.

Grass Stewardship Margins

There are grass margins around many fields. These have been provided to encourage wildlife, and whilst these wide strips of grass may look inviting for walkers they are out of bounds, and are not to be used by walkers. If these areas are disturbed then so is the wildlife for which they have been provided, and the farmers could face financial penalties.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted on Public Rights of Way whilst accompanying their owner or keeper. But the entitlement to take a dog on a Public Right of Way is limited to the line of the path, exactly as it is for humans. Dogs must be kept under close control and should not be allowed to run around off the path. For young or untrained dogs that are likely to stray off the line of the path we ask that they are kept on a lead.
Keeping dogs under close control is particularly important to ensure that wildlife is not disturbed. For example in the spring there are lots of wild birds nesting which will have young broods. A dog can easily push mothers off a nest and endanger the brood. Similarly, the deer will have young fawns with them and any disturbance can drive the mother away.
Please do not throw sticks for dogs into growing crops. In addition to losing control of the dog and disturbing the wildlife, during harvest these sticks get stuck in the combine harvesters and can cause significant disruption, as well as thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The Gamekeeper – Paul Edwards

Paul Edwards, the Gamekeeper has a very difficult job with several different roles. In addition to looking after the game he also undertakes a lot of conservation work. There are several different endangered species of birds nesting on the Estate, and their numbers have steadily been increasing. In order to ensure the continued success of such positive conservation work, public access is not possible to these sensitive areas. Paul will approach people who have strayed off the marked routes and ask them to stick to these routes, he will also ask people to put their dogs on leads when they are not being kept under close control.
Another of Paul’s roles is to ensure the security of the Estate. There are occasions when the Estate is targeted by fly tippers, travellers, poachers etc. Understandably the Estate is cautious about such individuals. Paul is alert to these potential threats, and he will do everything he can to prevent these people gaining access to the Estate and causing damage and disruption.
As the Estate is large, Paul will often be in a Landrover or on a quad bike. When he sees anyone who has unruly dogs or who is in the wrong area, he needs to go over to let them know that they have strayed off the marked routes. Unfortunately people can be very defensive, and sadly some people can be abusive towards him. He really is very reasonable and approachable. If you find yourself in the wrong place and see him rushing over to catch up with you, please wait for him to get to you, and he will show you the best way back onto the marked routes. If you have any problems and want help or are temporarily lost, he will be very happy to help you.

Conclusion

The Froyle Estate, and their farmers are very happy to welcome all visitors, but the Estate is a busy working community. Therefore to ensure that visitors can enjoy the countryside enjoy the countryside without disrupting the businesses that manage the land we ask for the co-operation and support of those who wish to access the Estate, and ask that they follow the guidance in this article. In addition, please follow any instructions given to you by the Farmers, Gamekeeper and Estate representatives.

The Froyle Estate
c/o Mr CSE Mahony ,
Savills, Wytham Court, 11 West Way,Oxford, OX2 0QL

14th December 2007