Fences that block country roads. Anno Guichelaar (80) from Elim wants the obstacles to disappear from the village. He was in court in Assen on Tuesday to challenge the issue, but that is not easy.
The elimite has a piece of land in the village and to get there he has to cross the grounds of another along the Compagnieweg. Because of two fences he cannot get there and that is why they have to leave, says Guichelaar. He relies on easement.
That is a rule where people can use the way of someone else to get to their own field. The judge announced during the first session that a fence can be placed. “As long as it can be opened and closed for passing people.”
Because, according to the judge, that is legally recorded. Guichelaar sees it differently. According to him, the country roads are traditionally used by everyone in the village, without obstacles. He wants to keep it that way.
In Elim these paths are called wicks. Those are old watercourses that peat fighters used. Eventually they were drained and roads were created.
The owner of the piece of land along the Compagnieweg announced that people can still pass. Only the fences must be opened. “We even offered that they can call us and then we open them.”
But according to him, no use is made of that. Guichelaar does not sit in the cold clothes during the session. “I don’t have to call anyone, because I can just pass it,” he said.
According to the elimite, the fences are not the only problem. The horses that walk on the country road are also a thorn in the eye. Guichelaar believes that he and contractors can hardly do work on his site due to all obstacles.
On the other side of the courtroom, the resident of the Compagnieweg is sighing. The horses can easily be removed, the man responds. “And Mr. Guichelaar has not really been here for years.”
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