Katie 0'Neill had to call her partner to help her lift the pram over the gate, after she became stuck when she took a short cut from Meldon Road through to Oxcliffe Road.

She said: "I'd gone for a walk with Leila and got through the gate okay, but 10 minutes later when I came back, the gate was locked.
"I had to call my partner Anthony and ask him to help me lift the pram over the gate."

The path Katie uses has a green sign saying 'Public Footpath' and there is one larger gate, which is now chained, and a smaller gate, with metal barriers in front.

Anyone with a pram would not be able to get through the small side gate at all.

Katie, 22, of Willowfield Road, said: "My next door neighbours tried to walk the dog and they couldn't get through either because the gate was locked.

"It doesn't make sense.

"I wouldn't chance using the footpath which takes you to the bottom of the hill on Oxcliffe Road as it's not safe.

"I'd like to see the county council keep the gate open full time, or make the Oxcliffe Road bridge safer to walk on."

Clive Weake, Countryside Service Manager at Lancashire County Council, said: "We are aware of problems experienced by members of the public accessing the path from Meldon Road towards Heaton with Oxcliffe and will be speaking with the landowners to resolve this.

"If any member of the public has any problems or queries regarding access to public rights of way they can call us on 01772 534709 or email countrysideservices@lancashire.co.uk."