Ask the experts: Summer 2010
I’ve enjoyed walking along a local footpath for years, but recently it has been used as a lavatory by people’s dogs and as a rubbish bin by some insensitive walkers. How can I put a stop to them spoiling my favourite footpath? Joe Hall
Anastasia French: I’m sorry to hear that your favourite walk is being ruined by a few inconsiderate people. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, keeping publicly maintainable rights of way clean and clear of litter and refuse is the responsibility of the district council or unitary authority. A local authority has the power, but not a duty, to provide litter bins. Dog faeces count as litter and refuse and, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, an authority may enforce a dog control order, which among other things relates to the fouling of land by dogs and the clearing up of dog faeces. Further information on dog control orders can be found by visiting www.defra.gov.uk/environment. Contact the rights of way team at your council and report the litter and faeces on the footpath. It has a duty to clear it up, and may also look at ways of preventing the problem from recurring.
My friend told me that you’re not allowed to have a picnic on a footpath. Is this true? Sarah Paddington
Anastasia French: The public’s right over a highway is “a right of passage for the purpose of passing and repassing along the way and for purposes reasonably incidental thereto”. Stopping for refreshment or to admire the view counts as a purpose reasonably incidental to the use of the path and is therefore allowed. Sitting on a verge while you have your sandwiches so that others can walk past without difficulty would be absolutely fine too. But bringing a full set of chairs, a table and a gazebo would not be OK because you would be stopping other people from enjoying their right of passage and causing an obstruction. You must also make sure that you keep to the line of the path, otherwise you may be committing an act of trespass while you’re munching on your sarnies. All in all, provided that you keep it relatively low-key and don’t commit an act of trespass or create an obstruction for other users, you are fully within your rights to picnic on a path.
I fractured my left ankle but want to cycle and walk again as soon as I can. How can I stay fit while my foot is in plaster, and regain real fitness quickly once it’s off? Janet McGregor
Dr Helen Crawley: Your exercise options depend on the type of fracture it is. Unstable or displaced fractures cannot bear weight until they have started to heal, but you could try a rowing machine or exercise bike with one leg, and use arm exercise machines, and weights and circuits concentrating on the upper body and your good leg. Once your plaster is off, ask your physiotherapist for advice on improving the stability of your ankle so that you don’t sprain it or even break it again walking on rough terrain. You should ask your GP or consultant whether you need a bone scan or treatment for osteoporosis to reduce the risk of future fractures.
I own a Magellan Meridian Gold GPS and believe the only compatible mapping software is Magellan MapSend Topo GB, which has apparently been discontinued. Where can I get a copy, or is any other suitable mapping software available? Ray James
Peter Judd: Alas, the Meridian range of GPS and its supporting mapping, MapSend Topo GB, have been discontinued. Magellan has withdrawn completely from the UK outdoors market and, disappointingly, doesn’t offer support to its existing customers. The problem goes back to the disastrous launch of the Explorist range of GPS units several years ago, and its later Triton range, neither of which offered PC access for the transfer of digital mapping. It tried to bridge this gap with an Ordnance Survey-based mapping product, which I helped to test, but I found its accuracy so seriously flawed that it couldn’t be launched without big improvements. It never made it on to the market, leaving Magellan offering two ranges of GPS with no supporting mapping, making them extremely unattractive to UK and European buyers. By the time the Meridian GPS, which did have OS mapping, came out, the company had already lost too much market share. Unfortunately, I know of no other mapping that’s compatible with the Meridian range of GPS, and the only place you may find a copy of MapSend Topo GB now is on eBay. I have, though, found one, so drop me an email at office@gpstraining.co.uk.
I love walking but never wear trousers. Is there a skirt available in the same water- and wind-proof material as walking trousers? Moyra McDermott
Minnie Burlton: Finding a skirt that offers the performance of walking trousers isn’t easy, but I’ve found three possible options. Ellis Brigham (✆ 0844 372 1010, www.ellis-brigham.com) sells the Royal Robbins Discovery Skirt, £35, in soft stretch nylon and cotton that’s lightweight and breathable, and wicks. From Rohan (✆ 0800 840 1411, www.rohan.co.uk), the On Location Skirt is said to have “the performance of specialist trekking trousers”. It’s made from a rugged polyamide, which is wind-resistant, high-wicking and very quick-drying. Alternatively, Pennine Outdoor (✆ 01524 263377, www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk) sells specialist fabrics for those wanting to make their own outdoor garments, including a breathable microfibre fabric called P32, which is ideal for making high-performance clothing. It also offers a made-to-measure clothing service and would be happy to custom-make a walking skirt for you.
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Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.
The writers of all letters published will win a HotRox Electronic Hand Warmer – the new way to stay warm. They’re rechargeable and can be turned on and off at the flick of a switch. HotRox hand warmers are the must-have accessory for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Visit www.thehotrox.co.uk.
