Access

Desire lines

Many urban sites will already be in use for informal recreation, with existing paths following desire lines across the site, or to particular points of interest. These are nearly always worth retaining, and should not be changed without very good reason. Use them to give the basic framework for access around the site, and fit in any tree planting or habitat creation projects around them. To encourage use and avoid fear of crime, access routes should have open margins of grass or short vegetation. Do not plant shrubs or trees right up to the edges of the path. Guidance on path widths is given below.

Areas sensitive to trampling or human disturbance may need protecting, so avoid routing any new paths near them, or upgrading or publicising any existing paths. Once created, paths are very difficult to get rid of, because use has become established, and regular users of the site, especially dog walkers and playing children will want to keep using familiar paths. This effect can be put to good use in keeping people away from sensitive areas. For example, once children are used to a particular tunnel through scrub into a favourite den, they are less likely to go exploring elsewhere.

For information on paths in woodland, see Chapter 6 – Trees and woodlands.

Accessibility

The terms ‘access’ and ‘accessibility’ are defined as follows (Harrison et al, English Nature, 1995). ‘Access refers to certain rights of approach, entry or use that are legally or conventionally defined; accessibility refers to the extent to which these rights can be exercised in particular places, at particular times and by particular people. Determining whether or not natural places are accessible therefore involves thinking not only about site ownership and access rights but also of physical and social considerations which constrain the extent to which access rights can be exercised’.

Any site designed for public use should have at least a part which is accessible to disabled people, elderly, wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs. It is not realistic or desirable to make all areas, regardless of topography, accessible to everyone, but there should be no artificial barriers which restrict access to legitimate users in otherwise suitable areas. On large sites, or in hilly areas, concentrate on improving accessibility to the flatter areas, those nearest housing, car parks or bus stops, and through routes, circular paths, or those linking points of interest. Accessibility is also affected by factors outside the site. For example, a busy road may make a site inaccessible to the old or young, or a steep slope or high kerb outside the site may cause problems for some users.

The most popular paths should be wide with smooth, durable surfacing, to make them attractive and inviting to all. Disabled and other vulnerable groups are most likely to make use of places which are cared for, welcoming, well-used and free from concerns of crime or unsocial activities, which are factors affecting all users.

Particular provisions for the disabled, such as tactile trails or tapping rails for the blind need careful planning if they are going to be successful. Before starting any project, make contact with local day centres, residential homes or other groups who may be interested in using the site. The most successful and well-used projects for improving accessibility for the disabled, visually impaired or deaf are those that have been designed in close co-operation with a nearby user group. The Beersbridge Nature Walk, Belfast is close to a centre for blind people, who helped design, and frequently use, the special facilities on the Walk. The tactile and musical trails in Barnsley are sited in the grounds of a riding centre for the disabled.

In  summary,  general  upgrading  of  access  provision in popular locations will benefit many users. Specific facilities should be carefully designed in consultation with particular user groups.

Local advice should also be available through disability access officers from the local authority. Advice is available nationally from The Fieldfare Trust. For detailed advice see Guidelines: A Good Practice Guide to Disabled People’s Access in the Countryside, Fieldfare Trust (1997).

Gradients

The easiest access is along flat or gentle gradients up to a maximum of 1:20 along the path. For wheelchair use, sections of 1:20 should be no more than 10m long, broken with flat sections of at least 900mm length. Maximum slope across the path should be 1:50, with turns made on level ground.

Moderately easy access is given by paths with sections of gentle to moderately steep gradient of between 1:15 and 1:12, and of a smooth hard surface. Long lengths of path with a gradient steeper than 1:12 are difficult for the ambulant disabled.

Ramps

Ramps should be provided as an alternative to steps, but not as a substitute. Many ambulant disabled people with problems of balance find ramps much more difficult than steps. Both ramps and steps may need handrails (see below). Ramps and steps should be a minimum of 1.2m wide, and 1.7m wide for busy areas.

From Informal Countryside Recreation for Disabled People, Countryside Commission (1994).

On long ramps a rest platform should be provided at a maximum of 10m or after each 800mm of vertical rise. The length of rest platforms should not be greater than 1.8m. A level distance of 1.8m continuing in the direction of the ramp should be allowed at the top and bottom to give room for turning.

Slightly roughened surfaces such as brushed concrete give the best grip.

Path width

Selected popular paths should be sufficiently wide for wheelchair and other disabled use. A width of 1.2m is the minimum for wheelchair use, with 1.7m allowing two wheelchairs to pass, or walkers to comfortably pass a wheelchair user. Some elderly walkers, the visually impaired or disabled walkers need the support of an able person beside them, and like to feel they are not holding up other walkers behind them. All users are likely to feel more comfortable and less threatened on a wide path with unenclosed edges. Family and other groups are more likely to use paths where there is room to walk side by side.

Where revetment on slopes, surfacing or other construction is necessary, costs may rise with increasing path width. However, it is not usually sensible to cut costs by reducing path width. If construction or surfacing is considered necessary, at least side by side or two-way pedestrian use should be provided for, which means a minimum width of 1.2m. Where the site is suitable and resources are available, a path of 2m will not seem too wide. This is the width of a rural cart-track, feels comfortable and inviting for family groups and others to walk, and allows a range of uses. Wider paths also allow machine construction, which is very much quicker than using manual labour. It may be cost-effective to use a machine to make a wider path, rather than using voluntary labour to construct a narrower path. Some sites will have their own sources of hard-core, subsoil or other material which, with suitable machinery, can be used for path construction. Reclaimed road surfacing material may be available cheaply. Once construction is complete, vehicle use can be prevented by barriers at entrance points.

The treatment of the path edges is important. Where the site is suitable and the maintenance funds available, mown grass is the best option. This itself produces a reasonably hard-wearing surface which can be used as an overspill. It also keeps sight lines open so reducing fear of crime, and prevents loss of path width due to encroaching vegetation. keep shrub, hedge and tree planting well back from the path, leaving an edge of at least 2m. Any nearer than this, and frequent pruning will be needed.

The diagram on the previous page shows some of the recommended widths for pedestrian, wheelchair and cycle use. note that shared pedestrian and cycle use on a 2m width path is only suitable where cycle use is light and overspill onto the verge is possible. Signs or a ‘white line’ will be needed to indicate which side cyclists must keep to. Most paths for shared cycle and pedestrian use should be at least 3m wide. For full details see The National Cycle Network: Guidelines and Practical Details Issue 2, Sustrans (1997).

Surfacing

Smooth, firm and non-slip surfaces are the easiest for all users. Tarmac or concrete are the usual path surfaces in parks and recreation areas, but will detract from the appearance and feel of less intensively managed areas.

Various loose surfacings such as hoggin, crushed stone, planings or scalpings (recovered road surfacing) can be used, firmly compacted with a powered roller or vibrating plate. The material should be gently cambered for drainage. The specification above is recommended by Sustrans, and has been successfully used on many miles of tracks built for cyclists, wheelchair users and walkers.

Information on particular tactile surfaces for visually impaired walkers can be obtained from the RNIB, and Disabled Living Foundation.

The Woodscape project in Huddersfield originated from a small group of local dog walkers, who wanted to clear rubbish and improve the access to local woodland. Of the many improvements made, one of the most important is a path about one kilometre long, which links two areas of housing. A mini-digger was hired to clear the route, and excavate a path foundation about 75mm deep. Piped cross drains were installed as necessary, and then about 50 tons of road planings were obtained cheaply and used to surface the path. This recycled material packs down to make an excellent path surface, which in spite of its origin, blends in well with the natural surroundings. The path is popular with many local users, including school children who now use the path to cycle to school, instead of having to go on the school bus.

Other paths through the woods are surfaced as necessary with woodchips, produced from thinning and clearance operations. The layer of woodchips, about 100mm thick, is contained by poles of a similar diameter, secured to the ground with wooden pegs and wires. Where the ground is wet, the woodchips can be laid on a base of ‘corduroy’, made of poles laid in a closely-packed layer across the path. Poles of diameter from 30-100mm can be used, depending on what is available. A minimum depth of about 150mm is needed, increasing across wetter ground. Woodchip paths need topping up periodically as the material compacts.

Steps

Steps should be at least 1.2m wide, or 1.7m for popular paths. The steps should have a uniform riser height of not more than 170mm, with treads of no less than 250mm, and of uniform size if possible. Avoid variable tread depth by extending the slope and lowering the gradient of the flight of steps. Flights can be separated with landings. Avoid constructions which include open tread or pronounced nosings, which can cause people to trip. Risers of a pale or distinctive colour are easier to see. Avoid single steps, as they are often not noticed.

A flight of wooden steps can be built as shown, with edging boards to help contain the surfacing material, which should be hard-packed hoggin or gravel with sufficient clay content to bind together. Surfacing will need replacing periodically. Steps which follow a curving line cannot have an edging board, and will need regular maintenance to keep the step surface in good condition.

Lengths of steel bar make effective ‘stobs’ to hold the steps in place, and are easier to knock in straight than wooden stobs. Stobs of steel bar can also be of a much smaller diameter than wooden stobs, and can be fitted neatly against the step where they do not present a hazard. Most wooden steps will require maintenance, and in some locations it may be more satisfactory to use stone, brick or concrete for durability. See Footpaths for further information.

Brick and slab steps can be constructed as shown. If the bank is of loose soil or other material, you may need to dig out a large area and backfill with hardcore as you build the steps. In firm soil, you need only cut out the rough shape of each step, as shown below. Start by laying the base of hardcore with a concrete foundation about 100mm deep and twice the width of the riser. Then build up the brick risers and slab steps, mortaring all joints.

To build a small flight of concrete steps, start by casting a foundation slab. Then build up the formwork as shown. The bevel at the front of each step stops the edge crumbling, and the bevel at the bottom of the riser allows the float to pass over the whole surface of the tread during finishing. Set steel rod reinforcing across each step. Roughened or corrugated treads prevent the steps from becoming slippery.

Kerbs

Dropped kerbs to pavements should be provided at any point where wheelchair access may be needed. Dropped kerbs are also needed near gulley pots which are in the vicinity of amphibia breeding pools. A vertical kerb acts as a deflector and channels animals into the gulley pot, where they die.

Handrails

Handrails are needed either to help disabled people up steps or gradients, or as protection against steep drops or other pathside dangers.

Handrails are needed on steps, or ramps of 1:16 or steeper and more than 3m long, in locations which are accessible for elderly or disabled people. The handrail should be 1m vertically above the incline or the nosings of the steps, round or oval in section and 40-50mm in diameter horizontally for easy grip. The rail should extend 300-400mm beyond the end of the incline at the top and the bottom. The rail should be capable of supporting a weight of 90kg. Wheelchair users and children need a rail 750-800mm high. A bottom rail no more than 100mm above the ground is a useful edging for wheelchair users and tapping rail for the visually impaired.

Safety handrails on bridges or above drops should be 1m high, or 1.4m for particularly hazardous situations. A middle rail at 800mm, suitable for grip support, and bottom rail at no more than 100mm above ground must also be fitted. Wire mesh should be fitted on sites where young children may have unsupervised access.

Boardwalks and bridges

The minimum width should be 1.2m for one way use, or 1.7m for two way use. Alternatively, passing places can be provided. Access onto the bridge or boardwalk should be ramped at no more than 1:12 gradient. The decking should be fitted cross-wise, with gaps of 10-16mm. Boardwalks or bridges without handrails should have a toe rail 100mm high. Where required, safety rails of the dimensions given above should be fitted.

In open, sunny situations, boardwalk decking will not become slippery. In shady, damp woodlands where algal growth makes surfaces slippery, epoxy tar sprays with grit can be applied by specialist operators. Alternatively, expanded metal or hexagonal mesh can be attached with staples to give a non-slip surface. This also discourages vandals from removing the decking. Grip can be improved on ramps by fitting strips of hardwood or metal at intervals across the ramp.

As with any artificial structure, boardwalks and bridges must be checked regularly to ensure they are safe for the use for which they are intended.

For further information see Footpaths.