4. Footpath build design
New footpaths and improvements to public footpaths shall be built in accordance with DfT Inclusive Mobility and shall not have any trips or obstructions during construction when used by residents and the general public. The maximum crossfall gradient shall be 1 in 40.
For soil improvements and strengthening, raising the subgrade, formation and susceptibility to frost please refer to the Road build design section.
Approved materials
All materials for footpaths shall be obtained from a source and supplier approved by us. See Approved suppliers list.
Utility connections and service ducts
Utility services and service ducts shall be laid below the footpath, within the natural soil known as the subgrade with a minimum number of crossings. Water meters should not be installed within the footpath.
Sub-base
100mm of type 1 sub-base shall be used for footpaths and shall be made and constructed using unbound mixtures in accordance with BS EN 13285:2018.
Binder course
100mm of AC 20 Dense Binder course with a binder grade of 70/100 or 100/150 as detailed in the Road build design section shall be used where a bituminous surface course is to be laid. 60mm of the same binder course shall be used where block paving is to be laid.
Surface course
25mm of 6mm aggregate size known as AC 6 Dense surface course in accordance with BS EN 13108-1:2016 and the binder shall be in accordance with BS EN 12591:2009 grade 70/100 or 100/150.
Tack coat
The surface course shall be bonded to the bituminous layer below which should be thoroughly cleansed prior to application.
A tack coat shall provide adhesion between bituminous footpath layers and shall be either C40B4 (K1-40) or C60B3 (K1-60) of cationic bitumen emulsion in accordance with BS EN 13808:2013 and shall be applied to target rates in accordance with BS 594987:2024. The tack coat can be applied cold.
Block paving
Block pavers shall be 60mm thick as detailed in the Road build design section, rectangular in shape and shall be laid to a 45 degree herringbone pattern with a single stretcher to the outer edges on 30mm laying course.
Laying course and jointing material shall be as detailed in the Road build design section.
Footpaths adjacent natural soil
Footpaths within two metres of natural soil, such as SuDS, as described in the Catching surface water run-off section or areas of wide grass such as public open spaces, or other similar locations, may require additional stability.
Additional geosynthetic material and sub-base material shall be required to build the footpath and extend 500mm beyond either side of the footpath. These shall be:
- A geogrid over a geotextile or a composite.
- 150mm of type 1 sub-base
The binder and surface course shall be the same depths and all material shall be as detailed in the Road build design section.
Surface water soakaways within five metres of a footpath may also require additional stability due to the concentration of water within a localised area and depth.
Alternative materials
Alternative blocks, setts and slabs may be considered for individual footpaths.
Temporary footpaths
In some circumstances, temporary footpaths may be acceptable and shall be built with:
- 185mm of type 1 sub-base
- 40mm of 14mm aggregate size known as AC 14 Close Graded surface course in accordance with BS EN 13108-1:2016 and the binder shall be in accordance with BS EN 12591:2009 grade 100/150.
Tactile paving
In accordance with national guidelines tactile paving shall be installed at pedestrian crossings which shall be positioned away from vehicle crossings.
Tactile paving shall be installed using high strength blocks with dimples of size 200mm by 133mm by 60mm and concrete edging shall be laid around the outside of the blocks.
Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings shall be buff in colour and as near to the line of travel as possible along a minimum straight length of 1.2m of dropped kerbs as detailed in Kerbing and concrete section.
Service boxes (e.g. BT) should not be installed within tactile paving areas, where this is unavoidable inset covers shall be provided.
Example tactile paving drawing (PDF) provided as a typical detail for reference only. Scheme-specific versions may be required.