RP1: Resurfacing of gateways

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the resurfacing of gateways item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
7 November 2023 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Biodiversity, Uplands and Water quality
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier and Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
£101 to £200

How much will be paid

£136.95 per gateway.

Where to use this item

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.

Only in areas targeted to reduce water pollution from agriculture.

Where this item cannot be used

  • where there are archaeological or historic features identified in the HEFER
  • where a public right of way passes through the gateway without relevant advice or consent from the Highways Authority

How this item will benefit the environment

This item will provide a strengthened surface at the field gateway. This will reduce ponding on either side of the gateways caused by soil compaction. If successful there will be reduced surface runoff, soil erosion and risk of diffuse water pollution.

Requirements

  • excavate the full width of the gateway by the full length which the gate opens into the field when it is at 90 degrees
  • excavate to a minimum depth of 150mm or until there is a naturally occurring hard surface
  • remove the excavated soil from the gateway area and spread it on the verges of the field track, allowing for drainage
  • overlay the excavated area with a geotextile membrane, then fill with aggregate (hard core) to a minimum consolidated depth of 150mm
  • all capital works carried out must meet the relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance

Do not:

  • spread the excavated soil on any environmental or historic features as identified in the HEFER

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of the existing gateway before works start

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

  • photographs of the completed work

Before applying, applicants must seek advice or consent from the Highways Authority if a public right of way passes through the gateway. You do not need to provide this with your application, but you will need to submit consents or permissions with your payment claim.

This item can be used on the same area as the following item:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.

Materials and area of resurfacing

When carrying out the work:

  • the area to be resurfaced should be appropriate for the size of the gateway and the type of traffic that will move through it
  • compact each layer of hard core well down before adding another layer, making sure each layer is no more than 150mm thick
  • advice should be taken from the Environment Agency (EA) if road planings, waste or recycled materials will be used as hard core

Biodiversity

This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See more information on CSF support.

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 7 November 2023 + show all updates

  1. Removal of text confirming RP1 Resurfacing of gateways availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

  2. 'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.

  3. Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants

  4. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  5. First published.

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