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.

Any land is eligible.

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
• 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 to include the following:

- Tray creation and excavation: clearly showing 100mm depth, photos taken at intervals along path length

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

- Surface material laying; clearly showing 25mm depth, photos taken at intervals along path length.

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

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