Lots of people with some physical impairment would love to access public footpaths. A person who is able to walk, may not be able to clamber over a stile, plus, Covid has made us mindful of the fact that disease can be easily transmitted by people touching objects. I suggest that where possible (and I think this would be in tens of thousands of instances) stiles should be replaced with foot operated gates, or by mini chicanes that would prevent livestock escaping but allow humans access without having to climb or touch surfaces with their hands.
In a linked initiative, I suggest all public bins (including dogs bins) should have lids on them, and be operated by foot. And that each finger post indicating a footpath should have a coded description of future “hazards” on the path eg S (stile) F (ford) etc.
1766-11