The Pittecroft Trust

was a small charitable trust with a very general charitable remit until July 2026. It was created by Chris Beney, who passed away in June 2026. This web site will stay online for the time being for general information.

Chris was also a leading light in the Open Spaces Society. Please follow this link to his
guide for Removing and Improving Path Paraphernalia.

The trust assisted over the years in a very modest way in:

  • Providing a Royal Aeronautical Society prize for quiet aircraft design
  • Contributing to the setting up of an unsegregated school in Northern Ireland
  • Converting a GLC Residual Body grant into computers for an environmental charity
  • Assisted Natural England set up and publicise a path structure training facility at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
  • Supporting improved access in town and countryside
  • Providing computers and computer support for various charities
  • Making various small specific grants to a community Museum
  • Giving small donations to charitable causes as the trustees saw fit
# by Defra:
Authorising Structures (gaps gates and stiles) on rights of way
Defra's good practice guidance for local authorities on compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
This is a copy of Defra's guidance put here for ease of access.  (Issued October 2010 version 1)
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# by Pittecroft Trust:
Understanding the Defra guidance on Public Path Structures
The Pittecroft Trust's introduction to the Defra guidance   (Last updated May 2012 version 3d)

Understanding Gaps Gates Stiles. British Standard BS5709.
Note this is NOT the Standard itself, just a simplified guide to it
(Last updated September 2024)
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# by Others:
Ownership of public paths   (Last updated 1st March 2012)


Specifying path structures

Equality Act 2010 and BS 5709   (published July 2013)
The impact of the Equality Act and BS 5709 on public path furniture