Hi Louise,
I personally do not like the look of the Three Valleys Access Barrier on
their web site - I am not convinced that any but the smallest of wheelchairs
and their users could easily negotiate them. Of course there is a natural
tension between equipment that is designed to enable access and equipment
that is designed to restrict access.

I think a much better balance between wheelchair access and motorbike
prevention can be gained using the Crosbie Gate as per attached jpeg.

For a simple stock-proof barrier a single gate can be used, and with a
double version (like an air lock) the length can be determined to enable
wheelchair access but deny motorbikes.

The gates are cantilever hung like a railway crossing gate and they fold as
they lift, with a counter balance weight outside so that only the slightest
effort is needed to raise the gate.

With the double gate there is a locking mechanism so that as one gate opens
the other gate is locked until the first is lowered.

available from D& J Crosbie Engineering, The Mere, Bures Road, Little
Cornard, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 0NW
Tel: 01787 375202

Vin West
Secretary, Arfon Access Group
Glyn Dwr
Llandwrog Uchaf
Caernarfon
Gwynedd  LL54 7RA

Tel:  01286 880761
Fax:  001775 6652884

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mersey Disability" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 3:00 PM
Subject: Access Barriers to Footpaths


> Hi there,
> Any help with the issue below would be welcomed.  The council are being
very
> pro-active and are keen to enable as many people as possible to use the
> paths in their area, and have a committment to getting work underway as
soon
> as they can identify the best product for the job.  Whilst the
manufacturer
> has said the barriers are suitable for motorised wheelchairs it would be
> helpful if anyone has direct expereince of using them to comment.  Also
the
> manufacturers have said that the barriers are no suitable for anyone using
a
> motorised chair or buggy with a canopy.
> If anyone knows of other, better products, or has seen this one in
operation
> please let me know.
> Louise Barry.
>
> The issue;
>
> The council engineering department have been asked to make safe a footpath
> on the edge of an estate in Knowsley,
>
> The footpath needs to be secure as the route is to be promoted as a safe
> route
> enabling  primary aged children to travel to school on foot.
>
> At present there are problems with youths on quad bikes and motor cycles
> speeding
> along this path. In order to alleviate this problem and make the path safe
> from speeding vehicles I intend to erect Motorcycle Access Barriers at a
> number of access points
> onto the path.
>
> The manufacturer of the Three Valleys Access Barrier
> (www.fearntruckbodies.co.uk)  has advised that these barriers will allow
> access for motorised wheelchair users.
>
> Has anyone come across these structures on footpaths?
>
> Has anyone encountered difficulty negotiating the barrier?
>
> ----------End of Message----------
>
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