Rural Payments and Services

For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.

The aim of this item is, where necessary, to provide a robust, effective and easy to use self-closing gate, suitable for as many user types as possible (including wheelchairs) where a path crosses a boundary or fence and to control livestock or vehicles.

A one-way opening gate is less preferable than a two way opening gate, but may be used in circumstances including significant livestock pressure or at roadsides.

The gate can also be installed to perform as a vehicle barrier.

Any land is eligible, and the gate should be on an existing, upgraded or new path.

Galvanised steel gate:

• 1.2 metre height from ground level
• 1.54 metre minimum width of opening
• made of galvanised steel H-frame, set in concrete to 0.7 metres depth
• one-way self-closing hinges, offset by 35 millimetres
• bottom hinge pin reversed to prevent gate removal
• easy-operation latch, from horse-back and wheelchair
• gate stop

Timber gate:

• new-build timber gate with 1.5 metre minimum width of opening
• hanging post and shutting post, minimum 2440x150x150 millimetres
• set in rammed stone and earth, minimum 0.7 metres deep
• one-way self-closing hinges, offset by 35 millimetres
• bottom hinge pin reversed to prevent gate removal
• hanging and shutting gate uprights, minimum 75x75 millimetres
• easy-operation latch, from horse-back and wheelchair
• gate stop

Additionally:

• for safety, one-way opening gates should be installed adjacent to roads, where they should open away from the road
• a one-way opening gate should open into the side used by livestock
• surfaces through gates must be firm, level and well drained
• you must take and retain for inspection dated photographic evidence of the construction phase, to include the works below ground level

You can claim £350 for each gate.

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work

Galvanised steel gate:

• 1.2 metre height from ground level
• 1.54 metre minimum width of opening
• made of galvanised steel H-frame, set in concrete to 0.7 metres depth
• one-way self-closing hinges, offset by 35 millimetres
• bottom hinge pin reversed to prevent gate removal
• easy-operation latch, from horse-back and wheelchair
• gate stop

Timber gate:

• new-build timber gate with 1.5 metre minimum width of opening
• hanging post and shutting post, minimum 2440x150x150 millimetres
• set in rammed stone and earth, minimum 0.7 metres deep
• one-way self-closing hinges, offset by 35 millimetres
• bottom hinge pin reversed to prevent gate removal
• hanging and shutting gate uprights, minimum 75x75 millimetres
• easy-operation latch, from horse-back and wheelchair
• gate stop

Additionally:

• the gate opens away from the road
• the gate opens into the side used by livestock
• surfaces through gates are firm, level and well drained
• you have taken and retained for inspection dated photographic evidence of the construction phase, to include the works below ground level

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