Taking right step to get rid of stiles
AS A retired international mountain leader, I support the call to replace stiles with gates to make footpaths more accessible (Mail). Stiles on a fellside are acceptable because the walkers using them tend to be fit and agile. For lowland areas, in most cases they are an unnecessary obstruction. The countryside should be made accessible to most people, regardless of age or ability. A stile may not pose a problem for fit, young people with flexible limbs in perfect working order, with ankles, knees and hips capable of rotating beyond 90 degrees. When the steps on a stile are twice the height of house stairs, this may be fine going up, but how about coming down? If you have knee or hip problems, sciatica or rheumatism, they are formidable obstructions. Worse are wall ladder stiles that are narrow, with rungs more than a foot apart and the top being difficult to turn around on in order to descend. Ask youngsters doing their Duke of Edinburgh what it’s like to negotiate such stiles carrying a large rucksack — the answer is it can’t be done! There is also the added danger at this time of year that the stiles are wet, greasy and muddy. A number of walks I have led came to an abrupt end due to stiles because folk could not climb them. I have brought groups of photographers to a Site of Special Scientific Interest famous for its spring flowers, but some simply can’t get there because they are unable to negotiate a wall stile. What makes it worse is that this stile serves no purpose because there aren’t livestock in the area. This unnecessary obstruction needs knocking down. Ask families and dog walkers what they think about stiles. Let’s make the countryside open to all, particularly mums with small children and those whose limbs don’t quite work like they used to.
ALLAN HARTLEY, High Bentham, N. Yorks. WALKING in nature is brilliant for our health and wellbeing, but it’s still out of reach for too many. Ramblers volunteers work hard to help keep the countryside open for all by replacing stiles and repairing and clearing paths, while protecting the environment. But the Government needs to play its part. Offering farmers payments to improve access can make a real difference to people’s lives.
JAMES MacCOLL, Ramblers, London SE1. I’VE had two hip replacements and regularly walk the Yorkshire Dales. I love the challenge of a good stile. There are also easy access walks available. Personally, I’d like access to walks free from cows.