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Annex G
Specification for Improving Access
Technical Specifications (path maintenance and capital items)
Examples of good management, if required:
Well drained
Clear out potholes of loose and soft material and backfill with compacted weather resistant material. The finished levels must prevent collection of surface water.
Clear out surface cross drains and re-pack any stone pitching that has worked loose or is being undermined.
Keep ditches, cross drains, culverts and the entrances to culverts clear of silt, debris and vegetation twice a year, usually in March and November. At the same time check that headwalls are firm and secure.
Excavate intercepting ditches to a minimum depth of 300mm with stable slopes and establish suitable outfall.
Install filter drains up to 500mm wide to a minimum depth of 600mm, backfill with coarse stone material and establish suitable outfall.
Fit for purpose
All paths must be accessible to the public and suitable for the type of use expected. Keep the space around the route clear of obstructions for 3.5m above the path and across a width of at least 2m.
The path surface must be one of three surfaces listed below:
- Natural path surface e.g. turf. Regular mowing will increase the density of grass, improving strength and durability.
- Unbound surface. Use the binding properties of the path base stone to provide a smooth surface. Spreading dust - a quarry product usually less than 3 to 6mm in size - onto the aggregate base will increase the binding properties of the base stone and give a smooth surface suitable for many users. However, unbound surfaces are susceptible to damage from water flowing over the surface, so that careful drainage is essential.
- Sealed surface. These surfaces use a binder, usually bitumen, to 'stick' aggregate together. They can be either a mixture of aggregate and bitumen ( e.g. tarmac or bitmac) or else a layer of bitumen with chips spread onto them and rolled in (surface dressing).
Unstable or uneven areas should be treated by filling in any potholes as above, removing loose material or debris, grading, or adding new surface material where required for a sound surface. Larger rocks may be utilised to highlight the edges or turning points of paths.
Free of obstructions
Gates and gaps
A standard timber wicket gate shall have a gap width of at least 1.2m and be fitted with self closing hinges.
A gap of 1.525m is the optimum to accommodate horse riders. Choose the latch to reflect the type of user and to be safe and easy to use. Information on gate design is given in "Countryside Access Design Guide" available from SNH. Information on access for people with disabilities is given in " BT Countryside for All" which is available from the Fieldfare Trust ( www.fieldfare.org.uk).
Stiles
Stiles are impassable to wheelchairs and pushchair users and can be an insurmountable barrier to the disabled, elderly and less agile people. A stile should only be installed as a last resort when it is not possible to provide access by means of a gap or a gate.
If stiles have to be built they should be built to the following specification:
- The height rise between the ground and the first step and between steps should be the same with each height rise being no more than 300mm;
- Steps should be at least 200mm wide and 900mm long;
- There should be no sharp edges on steps, fence rails or uprights;
- Hand posts should be fitted;
- A dog gate should be fitted with a minimum gap size of 375mm high and 300mm wide.
Crossing watercourses
A small timber bridge has a span of less than 10m and the deck should be 1.2m wide. Depending on the location and the hazard crossed you may need handrails at 0.9m in height. One handrail can be used where you expect low use/low risk or use two handrails where you expect heavier use/greater risk.
Crossing small watercourses may use a short section of culvert if suitable. The diameter of the pipe should accommodate the worst drainage conditions, diameters less than 600mm can be easily blocked. Construction should use stable material over the culvert which is wide enough to accommodate the path and verges on either side. The material shall be retained using headwalls, or a stable slope (requiring a longer culvert). A new bridges guide from Paths for All Partnership will be available in 2006.
Signposted and waymarked
Paths should be clearly signposted at entrance points, pointing to a destination and specifying the distance.
If the path starting point is not at the public road it should be signposted from that public road. There should be interim waymarkers along the path to help users keep to the route.
Direction signs should be constructed of timber, metal or recycled plastic. The posts must be 2.1m high and stable in strong winds, timber posts are normally 100mm square. The blade of the sign shall be about 500mm long and 150mm deep and fixed 100mm from the top of the post. Text, in a plain font, shall appear on both sides of the blade and have a height not less than 30mm.
Waymarkers shall not be smaller than 100mm square and be made of weatherproof material. If used on their own posts, the posts shall be 800mm high.
Where there is a recognised local format for signs or waymarkers this should be used in agreement with your local access officer.
Information on signposts is given in "Signpost Guidance" which is available from the Paths for All Partnership (contact details below).
Regularly maintained
Strim or mow natural path surfaces and verges in May and August as a minimum.
Cut back trees and vegetation during the autumn and late spring to maintain a clear path width and height corridor.
Control weed encroachment into the route corridor through cutting or selective application of herbicide in April and August.
Information on maintenance is given in the Lowland Path Construction Guide available from the Paths for All Partnership - ( www.pathsforall.org.uk) and "Upland Path Management" available from SNH.
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