Improving paths & tracks: Part 2
Practical Action
Two logs, approximately 15 to
20cm in diameter, are placed
close to each other along the
line of the path. Planks or
boards one metre long and
5cm by 15cm in cross-section
are laid side-by-side across the
two logs. The planks are fixed
to the top of the logs with 10
to 15cm-long nails. A small
gap is left between the planks
to allow rainwater to drain
through. The gap should
normally be 20 to 25mm wide,
but this distance should be
reduced to 16mm at most if small-
hoofed animals such as sheep and
goats will be using the raft.
5cm x 15cm x 100cm planks nailed to logs
Figure 4a: Raft section
15 - 20cm diameter logs
Turnpike sections
Turnpike sections are used for
lengths of path improvement over
about 50 metres. The general
method, illustrated in Figure 5,
uses material excavated from the
side ditches to raise the path or
track above the surrounding
ground.
Figure 4b: Detail of raft planks
Two logs 15 to 20cm in diameter are laid along the edges of the path one metre apart. They
are fixed in position by wooden stakes 6 to 8cm in diameter and about 80cm long, driven in
on each side of the logs. Ditches are excavated on both sides of the path and the soil from
the ditch is used to fill in between the logs. The soil is compacted and the top surface
formed to make a crown at the centre, about 5cm above the level of the top of the logs.
In areas where logs are not easily available, they can be replaced by large stones or rocks. The
rocks should be fixed by partly burying them in the ground. Similar-sized rocks are required
to provide an even finish to the path edge. This method leads to a more irregular path than
one constructed using logs.
A variation on the general method is to use imported soil or granular material to fill the space
between the logs instead of soil from the adjacent ditch. This can result in a more durable
path but is obviously more expensive. It may be necessary if the area through which the path
is being constructed is permanently waterlogged.
A further variation on this method is to use either brushwood or a man-made membrane
beneath the fill material to prevent it from sinking or being pressed into the underlying wet
soil by the passage of people and animals.
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