A type of gate often seen on public paths is the kissing gate, which cannot be left ‘open’ and accessible to stock. It also prevents access to motor cyclists and bicyclists, although lightweight cycles can be lifted over. The disadvantage of the standard kissing gate is that it is inaccessible to wheelchairs, and awkward for a walker with a bulky rucksack.
Less commonly seen is the bridle gate, which is about 1500 mm wide, and specifically designed for use on bridlepaths. Many footpaths and bridlepaths pass through field gates, which can be between 2.5 and 3.5 metres wide, and are often badly hung or not hung at all, and tied up with baler twine. Such gates are awkward for both landowner and walker or rider, and may be the cause of conflict. An unworkable gate is liable to be either left open, or broken whilst being negotiated, or is avoided altogether with resulting trespass and possible damage.
This section gives advice on the construction and hanging of kissing and bridle gates, and on adaptations to prevent access by motor bikes. Gates are usually bought ready made.
Responsibility
Gates are the responsibility of the landowner, although those on public paths are subject to a 25% minimum grant from the Highway Authority.
Bridle gates
The main requirements are as follows:
Dimensions
British Standard 5709:2006 specifies the following minimum opening dimension.
Materials
Bridle gates can be either wooden or metal, but wooden gates are usually preferred for their durability and appearance. See here for details of suitable types of wood. Ready-made gates are available from agricultural and fencing suppliers.
Construction
The gate must be braced with a diagonal member, and the top rail and the rail second from the bottom should be mortised the full width of the uprights (called ‘stiles’), and pegged.
Hanging
The hanging and shutting posts should be embedded at least 1100 mm. The gate should normally be hung so that it swings shut. There are various ways of achieving this:
- Rocker hinge sets are available which allow the gate to open either way, and then swing back to the closed position (British Gates and Timber Ltd.). The gate must be hung between the posts. The rocker hinge is also designed to make it impossible for the gate to be lifted off its hinges.
- Offset bottom hinges are available which provide a self- closing action (British Gates and Timber Ltd). Alternatively, normal hooks can be offset as shown, the upper hook being about 30mm offset in the direction in which the gate closes. The bottom hook should project about 5mm further than the upper hook.
- A spring can be fitted (see below) to pull the gate closed.
Some experimentation may be needed to find the optimum size spring for a particular gate. Obtain a selection from a scrapyard or similar source.
In areas where vandalism may be a problem, it is a good idea to invert the top hook to prevent the gate being lifted off. Alternatively, if the gate has already been hung and it is not possible to turn the top hook through 180 degrees, a metal peg can be driven in above one or other of the hooks. The latter is not so good if the gate needs to be removed for repair or replacement.
Positioning
The gate should always be positioned so there is room for the horse to stand to one side while the rider leans over and opens the gate. The gate should normally open away from the road or track, and onto the field or bridleway. If opening onto a road, the gate should be set well back, by at least a horse’s length, to leave a holding area where horses and riders can wait to cross the road. If there is any choice of site, choose the safest crossing point with good visibility in both directions.
This diagram shows the minimum clearance required at the side of a gate for it to be accessible to a wheelchair user.
Latching
A good latch should be self-closing when the gate swings closed, and proof against an ingenious animal. It also must be robust, and usable by someone with limited manual dexterity. The latch handle on a gate for wheelchair use should be 750-800mm above the ground, and easy to operate. Different types of latches are shown below.
Spring latch
Advantages
Easy to operate from either side. Still works if gate drops.
Disadvantages
Awkward to fit so that the tension is enough to keep the gate closed without being difficult to operate. Action of using lever puts strain on the hinges. Not self-latching. Difficult for some users to operate.
Automatic latch
Advantages
Easy to fit and durable as long as the gate does not drop. Self-latching.
Disadvantages
Awkward to operate from far side.
Loop latch
Advantages
Easy to fit and to operate. Durable if made of rigid metal or chain. Works even if gate drops slightly.
Disadvantages.
Can be worked by animals. Frequently improvised with wire or baler twine, which are not durable and not respected by users.
Hook or hasp
Advantages
Easy to fit and operate from either side. Safety hooks are available which cannot be unhitched by animals. Can be fitted below the top of the gate, so that it is accessible to wheelchair users. Chunky designs are easier to grasp and operate.
Disadvantages
Not very robust.
Pivot latch
Advantages
Easy for rider to operate from either side.
Disadvantages
Not very robust, and can easily be bent out of alignment. Fitting requires making a large hole in the top rail for the stirrup to pass through, resulting in a slack fitting for the rod.
Other similar types of ‘equestrian’ latches are available from gate suppliers.
Procedure
- Dig the hole for the hanging post, at least 1100 mm deep. Put the post in place and tamp the backfill carefully in layers.
- The lower hook is fixed first. Take the measurement from the gate, allowing for ground clearance. Drill a hole of a diameter slightly less than that of the hook. Drive in the hook with a lump hammer.
- Lift gate onto lower hook to locate the position of the upper hook. If the latter is to be inverted, this will be just above the hinge.
- Drill hole in post, and fix upper hook, pointing downwards.
- Undo the bolts attaching the upper hinge to the gate, and remove.
- One or two people hold the gate in position, while the upper hinge is slotted onto the hook, and bolted back onto the gate.
- The gate can now be used to locate the position of the shutting post (or posts in the case of kissing gates).
