Cllr Tracey Drew has praised the county council for installing a new self-closing gate on a local path after a previously-installed kissing gate had prevented wheelchair users access along the path.

Many of us enjoy a country walk; early morning often a favourite time: lingering night chill, dew underfoot, maybe a faint mist, low lying fresh-day-mellow sunlight; perhaps peaceful solitude surrounded by natural sounds.

Playing Pooh Sticks on an old, familiar bridge, identifying and gathering wild mushrooms, the younger folk excited to learn that, yes, they pop up overnight in fields as well as shops!

Appetites for and anticipation of a welcome brunch are just beginning to stir.

A visit to a local hostelry has been planned; the day ahead promises to be as relaxing and enjoyable as its start.

What could possibly go wrong?

Janice, a Park Hill ward resident, used the same such walk for 20 years, usually accompanied by her faithful dog.

Until, out of the blue one day, her path was blocked; the landowners had installed a kissing gate.

What to do? As a wheelchair user, the sole option available to Janice was to retrace her way and take the very real risk of running out of battery power.

On her own at the time, the fear and anxiety can only be imagined. Better to be in a group? What would each of us feel then, however loving and empathic our companions? Sorrow and helplessness? Guilt and shame? Rage, resentment, and humiliation?

Alone with total responsibility: "because of my impairment, one, two or all of us need to go back; I'm the only one stuck on this side of the gate; it's up to me to solve the problem."

Wheelchair access and kissing gates are mutually exclusive and elsewhere Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has addressed the issue quite simply.

At Janice's suggestion, a gently self-closing gate with RADAR key operated lock is now fitted alongside the kissing gate. Problem solved? Completely!

Non impaired and wheelchair users can carry merrily on together.

Janice and I invite local management teams and landowners to respond in the same, constructive way.

When WCC's suite is followed, they and other landowners can be confident that joy riders and those intent on causing damage are deterred, an understandable need.

At the same time, Janice will resume her favourite walk, alongside everyone else. No one is excluded. All are happy!