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Post Info TOPIC: 202 038
mike


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202 038
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I had some spare time today and nipped out to burrator to check out the locked gate across 202 038.

I spoke at length with a ranger there. Apparently the gate has been installed by South west water. Illicit campers have been using the lane and using the leat to wash and defecate in. Its a drinking water supply for Plymouth.

 

Apparently the gate has been purposely created to stop these campers but allow an easy ride by for horses bikes and people.

We probably need to tread carefully with this one to avoid the lane being closed altogether. (public health would be a powerful reason)

The lane is open to us and in my humble opinion  is fine as it is. 

I just hope joe public doesn't misinterpret the locked gate if they see me up there.



-- Edited by mike on Monday 11th of May 2026 02:25:55 PM

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Pete


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mike wrote:

 

Apparently the gate has been purposely created to stop these campers but allow an easy ride by for horses bikes and people.

We probably need to tread carefully with this one to avoid the lane being closed altogether. (public health would be a powerful reason)

The lane is open to us and in my humble opinion  is fine as it is. 

I just hope joe public doesn't misinterpret the locked gate if they see me up there.

 

 The gate is not possible to pass on a horse and I can't be bothered to lift my emtb over it not sure how you got the idea of 'an easy ride by' (he lied?)

The section of the lane above Leather Tor farm ruins is inaccessible to all but pedestrians and is effectively closed altogether to all other traffic.

The ucr ends at an arbitrary point 160m short of the leat and there is no sign or marker to indicate this

Unfortunately the section of ucr blocked off by the gate is a Footpath and NERC rules apply unless you know otherwise



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delvey91


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I rode it last week before the gate had appeared. You can see the offending camper in the video which is the one commented by many to have caused this action as i took slightly the wrong track. It is all public highway.Screenshot 2026-05-11 173534.png 



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mike


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I'm not sure that you have the right end of the stick here. The gate is newly installed across the track by the road where the video begins. 

I guess it's only been there a couple of days



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mike


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IMG-20260509-WA0001.jpgI'm not sure that you have the right end of the stick here. The gate is newly installed across the track by the road where the video begins. 

I guess it's only been there a couple of days



-- Edited by mike on Monday 11th of May 2026 06:26:05 PM

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Pete


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Thought you meant the gate at Leather Tor farm ruins beyond which is a half mile of ucr/footpath, been there a long time

The new gate won't stop us but does need removing to stop people getting the idea we are not allowed there

I have complained to the county council although their reporting system makes this awkward

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Tribey


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I thought they had Bye Laws to deal with this sort of issue (motorhomes) but their actions are not affecting just an individual, but everyone.



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DGTRF Rights Of Way/Rights Of Roads Officer
potus


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Bit annoying they put that gate up, I used to drive to the car parking area along the lane to walk the dog or set off on the mtb.

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youaintseenme


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Looks easy enough for happy campers to lift that gate of the hinge pins .........

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Tribey


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I have had a response from DCC PROW Warden Ros. 

 

She confirms that it is (as we know) a UCR, that cannot be simply gated, she has already made a site visit,

and she will take the matter up with those concerned, and mentioned 'the Lakes Trust' (who I am not familiar with).

 

 



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Pete


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Response from DCC to my report made on 12th May

Thank you for the following report:

Problem : Highway Comments, Traffic Management (inc Calming) Enquiry
Location: Road east of Stone Cross, Sheepstor
Date Reported: 27-May-2026

What happens next?
The details have been sent to our team so that an assessment can be carried out. We anticipate that this assessment will be completed by 17/06/2026 10:58:01

It annoys me that my report made over two weeks ago is recorded as received 15 days later and should I pass that way before mid June I will see how easy it is to remove the gate from the hinges to let my car pass by as like Mike I sometimes use the car park when out on the mtb.

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chriscole


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The Lakes Trust is South West Water hiving off responsibility for reservoirs in the South West to a third party



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Pete


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chriscole wrote:

The Lakes Trust is South West Water hiving off responsibility for reservoirs in the South West to a third party

 If you want to help put pressure on the so called trust here is a link to their online reporting portal

https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/forms/incident-reporting

My report to the trust

While I can easily bypass the gate on my motorcycle I fear people will be misled by the locked gate to believe I do not have the right to drive along this unclassified county road. If you are concerned by the poor behaviour of campers beside the leat this is a police matter, fear of crime does not legitimise law breaking. It is an offence to obstruct the public highway and I must insist you remove the gate asap.

Please paraphrase do not copy and paste



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potus


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Thanks for the link Pete.

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Pete


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A quick reply to my complaint to the 'trust'

Hi Pete,
Thanks for sending this through I will progress this to the area manager to investigate.
Kind regards,
Reception

I note the anonymous 'reception' name which looks like a lack of accountability from those processing their own agenda while hiding within the corporate structure.
Also interesting is the use of my name (which I realised a moment after sending the e-mail I had forgotten to add at the end).
They could be bothered to look me up but don't want to use their own name..... Mmm.

The area manager should also be hearing from DCC PROW/Highways Ros soon which should expedite matters

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