Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this item is to construct a new path for non-motorised public use, with a hard-core sub base and a whin-dust or equivalent surface, to provide a robust and comfortable path for shared use.

Standalone item is eligible on any land.

If ground is hard and well drained, construct standard 'full tray' path:

• Dig out and establish a rectangular section 'full tray' to at least 100mm depth.
• Fill with Type 1 hard-core sub-base material 100mm minimum depth and compact with a vibrating plate or roller.
• Apply a surface layer of whin dust, granite dust or equivalent to a minimum depth of 25mm, and compact with a vibrating plate or roller.
• Re-use excavated spoil to landscape path edges and verges.

If ground is soft, deep mud/peat and/or poorly drained, construct a ‘half-tray’ with geotextile path:

• Dig out and establish a rectangular section path tray at least 50mm deep, using excavated spoil to build up the path edge and verge.
• Line tray with geotextile and/or geo-grid if on deep soft wet ground.
• Use excavated spoil to build up the path edge and verges.
• Fill with Type 1 hard-core base material 100mm minimum depth and compact with vibrating plate or roller.
• Apply a surface layer of whin dust, granite dust or equivalent to a minimum depth of 25mm, and compact with a vibrating plate or roller.

If ground contains tree roots or bedrock, construct a “floating” path:

• Establish a rectangular section ‘floating tray’ to at least 100mm depth, using spoil and turf to create a path edge and verge.
• Line tray with geo-textile if required to protect tree roots.
• Fill with Type 1 hard-core sub-base material 100mm minimum depth and compact with a vibrating plate or roller.
• Apply a surface layer of whin dust, granite dust or equivalent to a minimum depth of 25mm, and compact with a vibrating plate or roller.

Other details:

• Path width will normally be 1.8 metres.
• Depending on anticipated user numbers, mix of user types, flow and terrain narrower or wider path may be acceptable if justified, within the range of 1.2m to 2.5m.
• Photographic evidence: You must keep a photographic record of the path construction showing before and during construction and photos taken at representative intervals along the path length and to include the following:

- Tray creation and excavation: clearly showing minimum 100mm depth.

- Sub-base laying and compaction : photos showing compaction in process

- Surface material laying; clearly showing 25mm depth.

You can claim £18.20 per square metre.

The inspectors will check:

• The location and extent of the work as is detailed in the contract schedule of works and contract map.
• That the capital item requirements have been met as detailed above.
• That photographic evidence has been provided as detailed above.

Section	Change
Whole page	Update /clarification for 2022.

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