Rural Payments and Services

This cost is for the construction of a new forest road where it meets the objectives of the Forest Infrastructure option. This item is only eligible for accessing small, unmanaged woodlands of less than 50 hectares in size.

The road should use suitable material that is well graded and durable stone that will not readily break down under wheel loading that may then cause diffuse pollution.

The minimum road specification below is based on the Forestry Commission Standard Road Specification which can be found in Annex 1 of the Timber Transport Forum guide: The design and use of the structural pavement of unsealed roads 2014.

Please review this for the full road specification.

Forest road:

• felled width: 25 metres average
• road width: 3.4 metres running width
• maximum gradient: < 8 per cent preferred, up to 10 per cent acceptable, short lengths (< 200 metres) up to 12.5 per cent
• minimum gradient: two per cent except over short sections on crests and sags

Ensure that you minimise disturbance of peaty soils and consider landscape impacts. A roadside ditch must be provided on the uphill side of the road or on both sides where the road is at or below the adjacent ground level.

Drains must have a depth of not less than 150 millimetres below the formation edge and a longitudinal gradient of not less than two per cent. Ditches and drains shall not lead directly into watercourses.

If tree clearance is required you must have an approved felling licence prior to starting work.

Forest roads and quarries may need consent under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999.

Please discuss this with Forestry Commission Scotland during the application process. In addition, you may need to get further permission from your local planning authority.

Any groundwork adjoining a public road (A, B, or C categories) and up to 25 metres from the public road will require planning permission.

If your application includes the construction of forestry tracks (private ways), prior notification to the local planning authority will also be required.

As this is a new regulatory requirement (2014) further guidance and final arrangement are still to be confirmed. Please discuss with your local conservancy office or local planning authority.

Further information

Please ensure you abide by conditions set out in the Forestry Grant Scheme claim form and guidance.

• Forest Research Technical Note: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from forest civil engineering
• Timber Transport Forum: The design and use of the structural pavement of unsealed roads 2014
• Timber Transport Forum: Tread Softly
• Timber Transport Forum: Guidance Note 2015 Forestry operations on or adjacent to public roads (in preparation)
• Forest and Water Guidelines
• SEPA – Diffuse pollution

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