Rural Payments and Services

Good steps help people walk safely up steeper slopes, but they are a barrier to several types of users. Therefore, they are only for use in exceptional situations where the terrain naturally restricts access, and a ramped path cannot reasonably be provided without exceeding ramp gradient limits of 1:12.

Any land is eligible.

The steps must be part of a new or upgraded path.

• vertical timber board risers, fixed in place with half-round timber stakes
• step treads back-filled with well-rammed Type 1 granular sub-base
• surfaced with 10 millimetres of whinstone or granite dust
• all timber to be treated
• steps to be level and evenly spaced
• width of steps to extend 150 millimetres either side of path width
• height of risers is no more than 150 millimetres
• edges of treads to be dressed off using soil material, compacted and allowed to seed
• paint treads of steps with non-slip surface paint to manufacturer’s recommendations

You can claim £150 per linear metre.

The inspectors will check:

• vertical timber board risers are fixed in place with half-round timber stakes
• step treads are back-filled with Type 1 granular sub-base
• steps are surfaced with 10 millimetres of whinstone or granite dust
• all timber is treated (an invoice check may be carried out)
• steps are level and evenly spaced
• width of steps extends 150 millimetres either side of path width
• height of risers is no more than 150 millimetres
• edges of treads are dressed off using soil material, compacted and allowed to seed
• treads of steps are painted with non-slip surface paint