For Footpath improvements at Langley Wood National Nature Reserve (NNR)

Tender description

Background to this contract: Langley Wood National Nature Reserve is one 224 NNRs in England. As well as being important wildlife sites NNRs also play an important role in providing access to nature. In Langley Wood access is restricted to the Public Rights of Way. At certain times of the year large sections become impassable as the site becomes very wet. Improvements to these footpaths will enable visitors to access Langley Wood safely by keeping to the designated access routes. Description The aim of this work is to upgrade existing tracks within the woodland. The finished track must provide a hard surface that is dry, suitable for walking on and can be used throughout the year as emergency access by light vehicles without causing rutting. Track specification • Width: 2.5m unless restricted by the existing track width • Depth: Minimum of 15cm once rolled and compacted or greater where necessary to achieve the described track. • Materials: o A permeable geo-textile membrane should be used to retain aggregate. o The base aggregate layer should be clean (i.e. free from glass, metal, plastic or other “waste” material). o Top layer should be “as dug hoggin” thick enough to ensure none of the base layer is exposed after normal vehicular use. • Groundwork: soft earth and mud should be dug out where necessary to ensure the ground is flat and as far as possible solid before any track material are laid. Waste soil should be spread thinly next to the track of if necessary laid in a bank (location must be agreed on site). All groundwork must be undertaken without damaging tree roots. • Culverts: Where necessary to channel the flow of water under the track culverts should be installed. Pipes must be a minimum of 15cm in diameter and have timber retaining walls at each end. • Ditches: Where necessary to ensure the flow of water and to prevent erosion of the track existing ditches should be cleaned to their original profile.