Report - Section 5.2.4

5.2.4   Use of recycled materials

Paths for all forms of sustainable transport all pre-suppose year round use and surfaces able to withstand the rigours of the High Weald climate. Historic precedents exist for using clean industrial waste as a means of retaining height, maintaining surfaces and directing drainage correctly eg furnace slag, rubble, ironstone etc have all been used to build up tracks against erosion. Conventional surfacing costs are much higher.

The equestrian industry can play a major part in the development of new uses for clean waste, green composting and recycled materials.

Table 5.1: Use of waste material for equestrian purposes

Waste material	Equestrian purpose
Clean industrial waste	Path surfacing (historic use)
Plastics and rubber	Sand school surfaces
Rubber	Stable matting
Timber from local sources	Course construction, fencing, stabling
Forest bark and wood chippings	Gallop and woodland surface
Newspaper, cardboard, woodshavings, straw, hemp and miscanthus	Bedding materials (which are then further recycled)

Pilot projects have been carried out using clean industrial waste in East Sussex and have been shown to stand up to wear and tear. Provisions exist under ENTRUST to use clean waste on leisure routes thereby attracting funding eg South Gloucestershire¹⁹.

In the High Weald, the total reconstruction of paths eroded into deep ravines is a greater issue than surfacing itself.

HWBG is putting forward a suggestion that a feasibility study should be carried out on all the possibilities of grant aid for surfacing given the problems of terrain and erosion that exist in the area. There is a real opportunity for East Sussex Rights-of-Way to lead on this matter. If carried out under Leaderplus this could be exported to other areas.²⁰

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¹⁹ The Countryside Agency has acquired a body of knowledge on the use of all-weather and sustainable surfaces. A good practice guide on PROWs will be put up on the CA website in April 2003. ²⁰ The technical demands of re-building these strategic routes are considerable and much can be gained from the BHS Guide to surfacing and other projects. Biffaward could be applied for from the Pebsham landfill site.