Rural Payments and Services

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This aim of this capital item is to support the creation of boardwalks.

Boardwalks allow public access to difficult areas such as marsh and wetland while protecting habitats, and can be used to extend easy access for wheelchairs, pushchairs etc.

Any land is eligible. The boardwalk should be part of an existing, upgraded or new path.

• may be constructed from timber or recycled plastic
• edging rails should be installed on the deck, minimum 75 square millimetres
• 1.2 metre minimum deck width measured between edging rails
• wider sections of deck – width 1.7 metres – to be installed as passing places or at busier sections
• decking boards of minimum 50 millimetres thickness to be laid at right angles to the direction of flow, with maximum 12 millimetre gap between boards – should include anti-slip measures to improve grip
• deck should be level or have a gradient not greater than 1:12

For example, see Countryside Access Design Guide sheet 6.2

You can claim £91 per square metre of clear deck.

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• the boardwalk is constructed from timber or from recycled plastic
• edging rails are installed on the deck, minimum 75 square millimetres
• 1.2 metre minimum deck width measured between edging rails
• wider sections of deck – width 1.7 metres – have been installed as passing places or at busier sections
• decking boards of minimum 50 millimetres thickness have been laid at right angles to the direction of flow, with maximum 12 millimetre gap boards – should include anti-slip measures to improve grip
• deck is level or has a gradient not greater than 1:12

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