Sloping path

[DrPhill]

Hi all, the weather is getting better so I am looking at the outdoor jobs.

One task for this year is to reroute part of the path to the front door. I have some ideas but do not know what sort of maximum slope (end-to end, not side-to-side) to aim for (aim under). Ideally we would avoid steps (wheelie bin obstacle course), but do not want to make the slope too steep.

Are there any rules-of-thumb for slope? What would be a sensible 'finish' to use on the most sloped bits? Slabs? crossways ribbed concrete? special pavers for slopes?

Any help or ideas welcome.

Thanks in advance

Phill

 

[n0legs]

Check out Marshalls paving, they definitely do ribbed and studded paving slabs.
I personally would go with a preformed material. I've seen a lot of concrete laid and reinstated over the years and trying to keep to a consistent pattern/effect can be difficult, especially when it's somewhere where it needs to look good.

As for slope angle, a gradient of 25% or more it would be better with steps.
For walking up and down aim for a 12-15% angle as the maximum, less is obviously better.

 

[John15]

From my work in construction I seem to remember that the maximum slope of ramps for wheelchair users was 1 in 12. The 12 - 15% as given above by nolegs seems a bit steep.

John

 

[n0legs]

From my work in construction I seem to remember that the maximum slope of ramps for wheelchair users was 1 in 12. The 12 - 15% as given above by nolegs seems a bit steep.

John

I did say walking up and down John, Phill didn't mention a wheelchair. I also said it as a maximum.

The maximum slope for a wheelchair user is dependent upon the distance rising. It could be as little as 1 in 20 and as high as 1 in 12.
If Phill is constructing his new path with wheelchair access in mind then I advise him to consult the latest edition of the Building Regulations, Part M I think.

 

[DrPhill]

Thanks for the information. I will look at the current plan and see what kind of slope I will get. I will also measure the current slopes.

Thankfully I am not building for wheelchair access as the total rise is on the order of fifteen foot to the road - 1 in 12 gives a path 180ft long. at three foot wide this would occupy 540sq ft. A ridiculous amount given the plot. I was merely hoping to reduce the difficulty of getting the wheelie bin to the road.

The last part of the path has half a dozen steps which (due to plot and a mature beech tree) would be difficult to replace with a gentle slope. If either gets to need a wheelchair we may need to move. Or open a door from the loft conversion down to the front path, and do the difficult climb inside the house. Hopefully that will be many years in the future. We may even have finished the renovation by then.

Again, thanks. I find it easier with some target figures, rather than trying to guess what would be sensible. If I need to go with steps then I will just have to practice for the 'wheelie bin hurdles'.

Phill

 

[John15]

My comment on the degree of slope relating to wheelchairs was a guide. I think you will find that a ramped path much steeper than 1 in 12 also becomes uncomfortable for older pedestrians.

John

 

[DrPhill]

Just had a measure, and the new part of the path route works out to a minimum slope of one in eleven (~9%). This is a minimum, pushing hard at the edges of what I want to do. So the project is reasonable - and may even be wheelchair friendly (apart from the steps at the top).

My thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it.

Phill

 

[RobinBHM]

New builds have to comply with part M and it makes sense for housing stock to be accessible for wheelchar users. Around here though I often drive past rows of new houses where most of the front garden seems to be taken up with massive paths that have hairpin bends in them to satisfy the 1 in12 slope, when there is a row of houses which all have them. It looks terrible.

 

[DrPhill]

Like this?

 

[n0legs]

My comment on the degree of slope relating to wheelchairs was a guide. I think you will find that a ramped path much steeper than 1 in 12 also becomes uncomfortable for older pedestrians.

John

Sorry John, didn't mean to snap
Flat is best for everyone :lol:





Sounds like you have a plan Dr
I forgot to say earlier that there's the paint on non slip surface treatment available, like we're seeing at roundabouts. I have no idea of cost but there are a few colours available and it might be an option over a concrete path if ease of construction or cost (maybe) come in to play.

 

[n0legs]

Like this?

No not like that :lol:
Looks like a cattle market, but if needs must.

 

[RobinBHM]

Like this?

Yes, like that!

 

[DrPhill]

The link to the eyesore was intended as a reply to RobinBHM, not n0legs. I should have made that clear. It is too easy to confuse with a hasty reply.

[[With the eyesore I have some sympathy for the council. The girls parents campaigned for a couple of years for wheelchair access, then complained when they got it. What else could the council do? Break building/safety regulations? Then people would complain about that. Perhaps the council could have done a 'sketchup' so the family knew what they would be getting.]]

 

[Terry - Somerset]

Can you not relocate the wheelie bins to the top adjacent to the road - perhaps behind a hedge so they are not an eyesore. Disabled access aside, slope/steps would no longer be an issue.

Terry

 

[DrPhill]

Can you not relocate the wheelie bins to the top adjacent to the road - perhaps behind a hedge so they are not an eyesore. Disabled access aside, slope/steps would no longer be an issue.

Terry

Unfortunately not. There is little room near the gate - none of it level. And if the bins were that far from the house then one of us (guess who) would always have the job of carrying the rubbish from the house bins to the wheelie bin.

It is always good to explore other solutions but that one does not work for us.

 

[John15]

Phill,

Is there enough length to your front garden to form a zig-zag path. This would keep the slope to something reasonable.

John

 

[paulrockliffe]

I was reading a thread else-where a while ago where someone had bought a house that was significantly elevated from the road and quite steep, they were restoring a funicular railway type goods lift so that they could get the shopping up and down. Looked really good fun, but also very practical.

If you had a sensible set of steps, but also a straight and smooth run down one side you could easily use an electric winch to make getting things up and down easy. I've just bought a winch on GUmtree for £20, which would easily pull a wheelchair up there.....

(Mine is for a lifting hoist as I don't have any backup when I need to move heavy stuff around and I have a load of bikes stored in the ceiling that I want to be able to get up and down easily)