ANNEX G Specification for Improving Access
Technical specifications (path maintenance and capital items)
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 public on a continuous basis. Keep the space around the route clear of obstructions for 2.1 metres above the path and across a width of 1.2 metres.
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).
Remove large stones or debris, regrade and add new surface material so as to stabilise uneven areas. Fill in any potholes.
Free of obstructions
Gates
A standard timber wicket gate shall have a gap width of 1.1m and be fitted with self closing hinges. A gate with a gap of 1.525m will accommodate horse riders. Choose the latch to reflect the type of user and to be safe and easy to use.
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. One can be used (850mm high) where you expect low use. Use two handrails (1m high) where you expect regular use.
Cross small watercourses using a short section of culvert. The diameter of the pipe should accommodate the worst drainage conditions, diameters less than 600mm can be easily blocked. The crossing shall comprise stable material over the culvert which is wide enough to accommodate the path and verges on either side. The material shall be retained using a stable slope (requiring a longer culvert) or headwalls. Note that the new 'Bridges Guide' will be available from 'Paths for All Partnership' in summer 2005.
Stiles
Stiles are impassable to wheelchairs and pushchair users and can be an insurmountable barrier to the disabled, elderly and less agile people. It is therefore suggested that 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 rules:
- the height rise between the ground and the first step and between steps should be the same;
- steps should be at least 200mm wide and 900mm long;
- there should be no sharp edges on steps, fence rails or uprights.
Signposted and waymarked
Paths should be clearly signposted at entrance points. There should be interim waymarkers to keep people right and distances stated to significant points.
Directions signs shall be constructed of timber, metal or recycled plastic. The posts shall 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.
Regularly maintained
Strim or mow natural path surfaces and verges in May and August.
Cut back vegetation and trees during the autumn and winter to maintain a clear path corridor.
Control weed encroachment into the route corridor through selective application of herbicide in April and August.