FAQs
- What is a gating order?
- How are gating orders made?
- What can I do if I disagree with a gating order?
- How much do they cost?
- How widespread are gating orders?
- When and why were these powers introduced?
- How long will the gates remain in place?
- How can I get involved?
- What does the campaign want to achieve?
What is a gating order?
A gating order is a legal mechanism which allows locked gates to be erected on public paths to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour. The public are not able to use the path once an order has been made and the gates are in place.
How are gating orders made?
This varies but it usually involves residents living next to the path applying to their local authority. There must be evidence that the path is facilitating persistent levels of crime or anti-social behaviour. The local authority will then look at the evidence and decide if gating the path is a suitable means of tackling the problem.
What can I do if I disagree with a gating order?
The local authority is required to advertise a proposed gating order on or close to the path in question, on its website and in a local newspaper. If you learn about about a proposed closure which causes you concern then you should write to the local authority explaining why you object. Example: "I wish to object to the proposed gating order because this path is a useful short cut to the shops and the alternative is longer, and more dangerous, as it is next to a road." If you do not respond the local authority may assume you are happy for the order to go ahead.
Also, please let us know about it!
How much do they cost?
It costs about £5000 to gate just one path, plus the ongoing cost of maintaining the gates or barriers. If a local authority closes a path for just part of the time there's the extra cost of making sure someone opens and closes the gates at the right times. Some local authorities get money for gating from outside sources, but others spend council taxpayers' money on it. One local authority has spent nearly half a million pounds on gating orders over just one year.
How widespread are gating orders?
Nearly 1500 public paths have now been gated.
When and why were these powers introduced?
They came into force in 2006 as a means of tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. In some circumstances they have proved useful tools in preventing problem behaviour, but in others, the public has been denied a valuable path with negligible benefit to security.
How long will the gates remain in place?
They can remain in place forever. Some local authorities have a policy of reviewing gating orders on a yearly basis – but we have yet to hear of one that has been removed!
What does the campaign want to achieve?
We would like the public who use these paths to have a say in their future. At the moment the decision is made solely by the local authority and there is no obligation to hold a public inquiry even if the people who use the path object to its closure. There needs to be a small change in the law so that if a member of the public objects the decision about closing the path is passed to someone independent of the local authority. This should ensure that paths that provide a public benefit remain open.
How can I get involved?
You can help by sending us examples of gating orders which you think have been bad for the local community. Please tell us where the gate is, why you think it was wrong to close the path and how the closure has affected local people. If you can send us photos too that's even better!
