Upland Pathwork

Construction Standards for Scotland

Contents

• Home
• Preface
• Section 1. Introduction to Upland Pathwork
• 1.1. Principles of Upland Pathwork
• 1.2. Environmental Impact
• 1.3. Path Assessment
• 1.4. Path Survey
• 1.5. Maintenance
• 1.6. Working Practice
• 1.7. Tools and Equipment
• 1.7a. Mechanised Equipment
• 1.8. Health and Safety
• Section 2. Upland Path Drainage
• 2.0. Introduction to Drainage Techniques
• 2.1. Ditching
• 2.2. Stone Lett
• 2.3. Stone Waterbar
• 2.4. Stone Cross-drain
• 2.5. Stone Culvert
• 2.6. Piped Culvert
• 2.7. Stone Ford
• Section 3. Upland Path Surfaces
• 3.0. Introduction to Surface Techniques
• 3.1. Aggregate Path
• 3.2. Geotextiles: Aggregate Path on Peat
• 3.3. Anchor Bars: Aggregate Path on Slopes
• 3.4. Stone Pitched Path
• Section 4. Upland Path Site Restoration
• 4.0. Introduction to Restoration Techniques
• 4.1. Materials and Use
• 4.2. Defining Path Alignment
• 4.3. Containing Path Use
• 4.4. Bank and Slope Stabilisation
• 4.5. Restoring Vegetation
• Glossary of Symbols
• Glossary of Terms
• Further Reference

1.2. Environmental Impact

Introduction

Most upland paths will have a visual impact on the landscape, whether there for traditional access for stalking, or for the simple pleasure of walking in an appealing mountain environment. The paths that exist today are predominantly there for outdoor recreation, through the rise in popularity of hill walking, concentrated on particular mountains. Increasing and excessive use has resulted in wear and serious erosion, with some very large and obtrusive scars causing unacceptable visual impact.

This has lead to the need to build or repair paths in a way that minimises the impact of use and erosion, and restores sites to an acceptable and durable state. Only when this is done can access be sustained and environmental benefits seen.

Approach to Pathwork

The best way of reducing the environmental impact of pathwork is to make sure that quality work is carried through - from initial design to finished pathwork. This will be achieved through effective planning, taking into account path use and site characteristics. To ensure that best solution is found and environmental requirements met, it is essential that a path assessment is carried out prior to any work on the ground.

A minimalist approach of regular maintenance and minor pre-emptive work, incorporating durability, is generally accepted as being preferable and most appropriate. However, in many cases, often due to a lack of maintenance, the impact of erosion has already exceeded what is acceptable and urgent major repair is necessary. This will still require maintenance and monitoring to ensure that no major problems re-occur.

Design

To avoid failure, and subsequent increased environmental impact, pathwork must be designed to cope with the pressures exerted on it, by climate and users. The design should ensure that the quality of finished work is of the highest standard with techniques selected to blend in with the surrounding landscape.

• keep construction to a minimum; avoid over specifying the work required, e.g. do not religiously place waterbars every ten metres if less are required
• make sure that the path alignment suits the site; avoid long straight stretches of even width path
• landscape path edges and areas of erosion to blend in naturally with the surroundings
• the path on completion should be less obtrusive than before work was started

Materials

Materials should be natural and selected to blend with the landscape.

• use local materials for constructing path and drainage features, preferably collected from the area around the path
• collect material sensitively taking care not to cause further damage to the surrounding landscape
• re-instate any damaged areas caused by excavating borrow pits or collecting stone and turf

Where local material cannot be used or is not available, stone or revegetation material may have to be imported to the site.

• check the requirements of any statutory designations
• match imported stone in geology, colour and mineral content to that around the path
• use weathered stone rather than freshly quarried stone
• if imported aggregates are used, try to surface over them with a locally won material

Timing

Pathwork should be carefully planned to avoid further damage to the site. Programme work to take place at times of the year when the ground conditions are dry and stable-working on water-logged, soft soil and fragile vegetation can result in rapid damage.

Access

Routes to the site for daily access should be carefully chosen, normally using the existing path line. Where this is not practical the route selected should be varied to avoid establishment of alternative path lines.

Remote Working

Where on site accommodation is required for remote working carefully consider the positioning and potential visual impact. Ensure there is adequate provision and resources, for minimising visual intrusion, waste management, and re- instatement and tidying of the site on completion of the pathwork.

Construction

The impact of undertaking pathwork should be carefully controlled to avoid further damage to the site.

• keep disturbance of the site to a minimum, even if this takes more time
• protect the surrounding environment, particularly water courses, from pollution or sediment
• protect surrounding vegetation from damage, e.g. lay stored materials on matting
• make good use of all excavated materials, e.g. re-use turf from ditching for path edges, and soil for site restoration
• keep the work site tidy and complete a section at a time if possible, to reduce visual impact

Liaison and Permissions

It is essential to have the appropriate permission and approval for works, especially on environmentally sensitive sites - if in any doubt ask. Lack of communication between the appropriate interests can give rise to misunderstandings and inadvertent environmental damage. Those who should be approached include:

• Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) local office - work on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), or other designations, will require prior consent
• Historic Scotland and other organisations - for natural heritage designations, archaeological sites and historic monuments, e.g. military roads
• Local Authority - planning consent may be required depending on the site and proposed work, particularly for remote working accommodation
• Landowners and tenants - owners permission is required for most pathwork, and consultation to avoid an adverse impact on land management issues.

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