We've decided to extend the opening of our drive to give easier access for
our caravan.

The brick pier at the gate end of the garden wall supported one gate, it has
been removed (didn't those 1930's builders do it thoroughly!) and we're
debating various ways of utilising the existing 'wrought iron' double gates
with the addition of a smaller single gate. A new, smaller, pier is being
built about 2' away as I type.

The double gates aren't original, Spouse had to extend them to fit the drive
opening when we acquired them. The extensions can be removed with ease.

The double gates have to be able to be opened occasionally for the car,
which is used on average not more than twice a week but the single gate
would allow pedestrian and scooter access.

We've thought of many combinations but other ideas would be welcome - as
would ideas which match ours :-)

Spouse has all the skills necessary.

Thanks in advance,

Mary

"Owain" wrote in message
...
Mary Fisher wrote:

Bet you thought I'd forgotten about this!

I would have thought large outer gates on left and right, and a central
pedestrian gate, would be the most versatile as well as pleasingly
symmetrical.

So did we :-)

It would give you pedestrian, one gate, one+pedestrian, and 2 gates
opening permutations. Hinge the pedestrian gate back against the vehicle
gate before opening the vehicle gate and it will reduce the area required
for the gate to swing.

It's not hinged as such, instead it has a rod which goes through two tubes
on the larger gate, thus is can be opened, closed against the larger gate or
removed completely if required. Can't think why it should be ...

The end of the gate(s) can be supported on wheels running on a metal track
set into the drive, to reduce the weight on the pillar.

Yes, we'd thought that too but in the event it wasn't necessary. He used
reclaimed small section steel for the inside uprights of the small gate, its
frame was made from reclaimed hollow steel tubing, even allowing for the
distance from the pillar the combined weight isn't as great as that of
modern gates.

The pillar is a stout steel one he made years ago, it holds one of our gates
and one of a neighbour's. The new brick pier works well too, the whole is
very pleasing.

Especially now that he's stripped off all the rust from the original gates,
cleaned off all the algae and painted the lot to make a harmonious whole.
It's getting a lot of positive comments from neighbours and the proof of the
pudding will be on Friday when we take out the caravan :-)

Mary

Owain

"Mary Fisher" wrote in message
t...

We used the gate on Friday and Monday, to take out and bring in the caravan.

It was well worth doing!

Mary