Guidance on using the Average [England] Civil Engineering

Introduction

Instructions for using the Average [England] Costs sheet

Quantity of work

Specialist costs
Bespoke bridge - Cell
E30

Aggregate supply -
Cells E37 and H37

Winning local stone -

Cells H38 and I38
 Guidance on using the Average [England] Civil Engineering Costs sheet
This sheet provides details of the average costs [in England] for certain civil engineering tasks undertaken in forest
settings.
The sheet is for use as a guide only. It will not be wholly indicative of your specific circumstances. However, it may
information on the likely costs associated with the installation of road and track infrastructure within your woodland,
decision making.
The sheet can help establish outline costs as part of an EWGS application for the Woodfuel WIG Roads grant, prio
quotes from civil engineering contractors.
The sheet may also help identify areas of cost within tendered quotes, where they significantly differ from what was
from the average costs contained within this sheet (both lower and higher). This may allow the woodland owner to q
for such a difference, and may help achieve better value for money.

s for using the Average [England] Costs sheet

On the Average [England] Costs sheet, simply enter a quantity of work into Column H. The cells are bound by a
~ The sheet automatically calculates an indicative cost for the task. See Column I
~ The sheet automatically calculates an indicative cost for the project. See Cell H1

A bridge will be bespoke to its setting, and the cost will vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as span
construction, and height above the watercourse.
If you need a bespoke bridge construction, it will need to be designed by a competent engineer and priced accordin
contractor. Enter a cost for the bridge in Cell E30
As a rule of thumb, £16 / m2 of running surface will give an indicative price.
The cost of stone imported from a commercial supplier - or licensed supplier in respect of recycled aggregate mate
supplier to supplier. Enter the price per tonne of local commercial stone in Cell E37
Enter the total number of tonnes of aggregate required in Cell H37
As a rule of thumb, for every 1 linear metre of fully paved [3.5m] width of road, a depth of 100mm of stone = 1 ton
stone = 2 tonne; 300mm of stone = 3 tonne etc.
Winning stone on site as part of the road / track construction may give significant savings over the cost of importing
aggregates. However, such work will still have a cost associated with it, through obtaining the stone using specialis
crushing equipment, transporting to point of use, and the fact that the stone being used may be of poorer quality, so
more of it.

Establish the cost of this equipment / process for the whole of the project. Enter the price in Cell I38
Enter the total number of tonnes of aggregate required in Cell H38
The sheet will calculate the Average Cost, to give a comparison to commercial aggregate costs. See Cell E38
NB: You may consider using softer, locally won stone for the base of a track - because it is cheaper than imported s
imported, harder wearing commercial stone for the surfacing layers
 Page 3 of 4

Indicative
Indicative work specifications and average [England] costs £ -
project cost
Average Unit of Indicative
Basic work description Detail of activity Quantity
Cost measure cost of task
PRELIMINARY SITE WORK - items that are expected to Preliminary work by the site manager / contractor to: Ensure compliance with
be carried out by the site manager / contractor during Health & Safety Legislation and CDM Regulations. For example: Indemnify the land
the course of delivering the civil engineering project owner against any claim for loss, injury or damage arising from execution of the works;
Prepare for construction and supervision of all works during construction, including
undertaking site specific risk assessments, scanning all areas with CAT prior to
undertaking excavation, and setting out control of the whole works; Organise
mobilisation and demobilisation of all plant and equipment at start, and at the £2,300.00 per contract 1 £2,300.00
completion of permanent works; Provide, maintain and subsequently remove all site
traffic and pedestrian management measures, signage, and systems for safe working;
Ensure any other works deemed necessary to complete the project legally and
sustainably are undertaken.

Provision, maintenance & subsequent removal of goal posts as protection to overhead

£210.00 each £0.00
cables
SITE CLEARANCE Excavate, and side cast locally, all woody material and stumps from the full width of the
£5.60 linear metre £0.00
works. Maximum stump diameter of 450mm
Work includes removal of all extraneous woody Excavate, and side cast locally, all woody materials and stumps from the full width of
£7.40 linear metre £0.00
vegetation and stumps over the propose track / road the works. For stumps from 450mm to 600mm diameter
width - not less than 9m and not exceeding 15m. Excavate, and side cast locally, all woody materials and stumps from the full width of
£9.10 linear metre £0.00
the works. Minimum stump diameter of 600mm
Work does not include felling of trees within the Excavate, and transport to agreed tip location, all woody material and stumps from the
£8.55 linear metre £0.00
proposed track width. These will have been felled and full width of the works. Maximum stump diameter of 450mm
extracted already. Excavate, and transport to agreed tip location, all woody material and stumps from the
£9.90 linear metre £0.00
full width of the works. For stumps from 450mm to 600mm diameter
Excavate, and transport to agreed tip location, all woody material and stumps from the
£11.80 linear metre £0.00
full width of the works. Minimum stump diameter of 600mm
£0.00
TOP SOIL STRIP (Only apply where landscaping Excavate topsoil material from the location to be restored, max depth approx 150mm.
restoration is a required / desired outcome e.g. entrance Loosely stockpile or windrow, preferably adjacent to each section of works, for reuse in £0.26 m2 £0.00
point) landscaping of subsoil arisings
Locally, strip top soil over the entire area to be restored, Excavate topsoil material from the location to be restored, max depth approx 300mm.
and for such a linear distance along the formation route Loosely stockpile or windrow, preferably adjacent to each section of works, for reuse in
as will provide sufficient top soil volume to carry out landscaping of subsoil arisings £0.46 m2 £0.00
restoration

CONSTRUCTION OF TRACK FORMATION (Base or Track formation on slope 0-10%

foundation) £7.20 linear metre £0.00

Cut top soil and sub soil, and/or fill [using local materials] Track formation on slope 10-15%
as required, to create a [minimum] 6m wide, level, track
formation (base), and meet camber / crossfall profile, as £8.60 linear metre £0.00
directed by civil engineering drawings.

Avoid Lime based aggregates and other materials as Track formation on slope 15-20%
they can prove damaging to sensitive sites. £10.20 linear metre £0.00

Work will incorporate longitudinal roadside drainage Formation on slope greater than 20%
£12.50 linear metre £0.00
ditches and compaction of formation.
Work will include identifying and resolving soft spots Remove soft, unsound or weak ground contained within the formation area, or areas
within the formation, or resolving them as part of existing below the formation, as agreed on site, and sidecast excavated material locally, to the
track restoration lower side of the formation, without impeding drainage and / or access to and from that £7.00 m3 £0.00
ground
Work will include forming of loading and turning bays Fill, to replace the removed soft, unsound or weak ground contained within the
and transfer points, based on a 6m Formation width formation area, or areas below the formation, with a granular material, 75mm Crusher £10.00 m3 £0.00
Run or acceptable equivalent, to a minimum 100mm compacted depth
£0.00
CULVERT INSTALLATION Culvert, with 300 mm internal diameter pipe and up to 9m length, in a trench up to 900
£38.00 linear metre £0.00
mm deep
Twin walled thermoplastic or weholite, high-density Culvert, with 450 mm internal diameter pipe and up to 9m length, in a trench up to 1050
polyethylene pipes, meeting the British Board of mm deep £70.00 linear metre £0.00
Agreement Highways Authorities Product Approval
Culvert, with 600 mm internal diameter pipe and up to 9m length, in a trench up to 1200
Scheme spec', shall be used for constructing culverts. £104.00 linear metre £0.00
mm deep
Culvert installation work includes provision of, placement Culvert, with 750 mm internal diameter pipe and up to 9m length, in a trench up to 1500
and bedding, backfilling and compaction around the mm deep £158.00 linear metre £0.00
installed pipes, and the placement of silt traps or
catchpits. Pipes > 1m dia are to be internally propped Culvert, with minimum 900 mm internal diameter pipe and up to 12m length, in a trench
up to 2000 mm deep £225.00 linear metre £0.00

Bespoke bridge construction for crossing streams and Bespoke bridge construction may be a more cost effective or long term solution to
rivers crossing streams and rivers. Includes full schematic / engineering drawings and is fully each £0.00
costed

HEAD & TAIL WALLS Where required, construction of 200mm deep concrete footing, or acceptable
equivalent, below culvert entrance / exit, for the construction of headwall / tail wall £149.00 m3 £0.00
above
Supply materials and construct the footings, head and Construction of masonry wing walls, max 1m high, using random stone sourced on site,
tail walls for culvert settings, appropriate to the flow of or from a local source. An acceptable equivalent to stone may be agreed. £88.00 linear metre £0.00
water being managed, including cutting of culvert pipe to
finished faces Construction of masonry headwall, max 1m high, using random stone sourced on site,
or from a local source. An acceptable equivalent to stone may be agreed. £88.00 linear metre £0.00

Construction of masonry tail wall, max 1m high, using random stone sourced on site, or
from a local source. An acceptable equivalent to stone may be agreed. Cut outfall at a £86.00 linear metre £0.00
chamfer at the angle of repose of the surrounding ground
£0.00
COMMERCIAL AGGREGATE DELIVERIES Cost of aggregates required - Local pricing will apply tonne £0.00
Unless otherwise indicated, all aggregates and Cost of winning local fines for formation, capping and pavement works - Local pricing
#DIV/0! tonne
bituminous materials are to be procured, ordered and will apply
managed by the contractor. Source and quantity to be Load and transport aggregates from pre agreed stockpiles. Maximum haul and return
purchased will be agreed beforehand. £3.85 tonne £0.00
500m
SECONDARY HAULAGE - Handling of aggregates in Extra cost over previous, for every additional 500m of haul and return
plant equipment appropriate to road construction £1.53 tonne £0.00

CAPPING AND PAVEMENT Provide and lay to the underside of the capping layer (only as required and agreed on
site) a woven, permeable, geotextile membrane - minimum 140g/m2 £2.50 linear metre £0.00

Placement, compaction and profiling to camber or Load and transport aggregates specified for capping or pavement layers, and sourced
crossfall of all materials to achieve finished paved width from local borrow pits or stockpiles. Maximum haul and return 2km £2.30 tonne £0.00
of 3.4m
Extra cost over previous, for every additional 1km of haul £0.90 tonne £0.00
Lay, shape and compact (as formation or capping layer) a granular material of 75mm
Crusher Run or acceptable equivalent; min 200mm compacted depth £4.00 linear metre £0.00

Extra cost over previous, to lay and compact each additional 100mm of depth of
approved formation or capping aggregates £3.36 linear metre £0.00

Lay, shape and compact (as a pavement layer) MOT Type 1 or acceptable equivalent
as surfacing; min 100mm compacted depth £5.70 linear metre £0.00

Extra cost over previous, to lay and compact each additional 100mm of depth of
pavement aggregate £4.25 linear metre £0.00
 Page 4 of 4

SURFACE DRESSING Lay and compact an approved aggregate, graded 12mm to dust - laid wet as surfacing.
Minimum thickness 25mm. £0.90 m2 £0.00

Surface dressing required to improve the running Lay and compact an approved aggregate, graded 6mm to dust - laid wet as surfacing.
surface, when road is expected to support significant Minimum thickness 15mm. £0.90 m2 £0.00
pedestrian and cycle traffic as well as forestry use
£0.00
LANDSCAPING OF VERGES & ENTRANCE Top soiling using previously stripped and stockpiled top soil material excavated, and
transported from a tip site located within 250 m. Top soil verges to the road margins, to
a minimum depth of 150mm, spreading equally on both margins, and making best use £1.30 m2 £0.00
of available quantity

Top soiling of verges to the road margins Top soiling using soil wind-rowed along the road corridor, to a minimum depth of
150mm, spreading equally on both margins, and making best use of available quantity £0.70 m2 £0.00

Installation of field gates on entrance points to secure Field gate: British Standard - 12ft, 5 bar treated soft wood, or metal equivalent. Where
£365.00 each £0.00
the woodland boundary double gates are required, double the quantity of units.
Construction of fencing or planting of hedging at Pole barrier (metal): Supply and fit the barrier including poles. Includes labour &
£600.00 each £0.00
entrance points to secure the woodland boundary materials (metal pole and posts)
Amenity style, 5 bar 'post and rail' fence either side of entrance gate, to close gaps to
£18.00 linear metre £0.00
existing woodland boundary security
Stock fencing: FC Bulletin 102 "Forest Fencing - Stakes at 3m centres using C8/80/15
netting with two lines of barb, or similar specification for the site £4.50 linear metre £0.00

Hedge planting: tree + shrub shelter and softwood stake & labour £2.10 each £0.00
£0.00
BELMOUTH KERBING Provide, lay, bed & haunch precast C7.5 concrete kerbs and transition kerbs on
concrete and mortar - straight line £40.80 linear metre £0.00

Kerbing, using half battered kerbs and transition kerbs. Provide, lay, bed & haunch precast concrete kerbs on C7.5 concrete and mortar -
Including mechanical handling, earthworks required and curved on 11m radius
re-use of soil on site or side cast, as agreed. Including £42.40 linear metre £0.00
working in and by the public highway

BITUMINOUS PAVEMENT & SURFACING BELMOUTH (To be applied next existing bitmac surfaces) - Cut, trim and excavate the
existing bitmac edge (including disposal off site), to minimum steps of 35mm and
55mm, and then to a minimum of 75mm below existing bitmac layer, to create a key for £10.85 linear metre £0.00
the new bitmac surface - unless otherwise directed.
Bituminous surfacing and other construction. Supply BELMOUTH (To be applied next existing bitmac surfaces) - Form stepped bitmac
[order and arrange delivery of], lay and compact, bitmac layers, inclined under adjacent non bituminous construction to minimise potholing at £23.25 linear metre £0.00
materials, including water control, regulating in all interface
courses, tack coat & hot pour. Includes all work in and by
Lay & compact to excavated falls, a dense bitumen macadam base course (Dtp
the public highway
specified to BS 4987 and clause 909), of nominal aggregate size 28mm; approx 90mm £14.50 m2 £0.00
thick.
Lay & compact to excavated falls, a dense bitumen macadam wearing course (Dtp
specified to BS 4987 and clause 909), of nominal aggregate size 14mm; approx 35mm £13.00 m2 £0.00
thick.
Supply & spread onto the wearing course, a sealing grit; nominal aggregate size 3mm.
£6.00 m2 £0.00

BELMOUTH RENEWAL Grade off accumulated leaf litter, moss, other vegetation and mud to reveal the
underlying aggregate. Additionally, clear any vegetation to beyond road side ditches,
fully revealing the soil surface, and reopen a 'v' shaped ditch. Rate to allow for all £1.50 m2 £0.00
arisings to be spread locally
Prepare or restore an existing Belmouth for forestry use Excavate (and cast aside locally) soft, unsound or weak material within an existing
Belmouth, normally to around 75mm, ready to receive new pavement materials £23.50 m3 £0.00

Lay and shape (as a pavement layer), MOT Type 1 or acceptable equivalent, to the
excavated areas of an existing Belmouth; minimum depth of 75mm compacted depth £4.50 m2 £0.00

BITMAC MAINTENANCE Break up, excavate and stock pile locally (for re-use or disposal), all Bitmac and
contaminated sub base material underlying the area to be patched. The average depth £15.40 m2 £0.00
of material to be excavated - 200mm
Patching Bitmac - Average area 5m2. Dispose all Bitmac and contaminated sub base material to a licensed tip £20.60 m2 £0.00
Supply [order and arrange delivery of], lay and compact, Lay and compact granular material (as a pavement layer) MOT Type 1 or acceptable
bitmac materials, including water control, regulating in all equivalent, to an average compacted depth of 150mm, as a foundation to the patch £13.00 m2 £0.00
courses, tack coat & hot pour. Includes all work in and by
the public highway Lay and compact to excavated falls, a dense bitumen macadam base course (Dtp
specified to BS 4987 and clause 909), of nominal aggregate size 14mm; approx 70mm £24.25 m2 £0.00
thick.
£0.00
VEGETATION CONTROL Flail mow roadside vegetation to full extent of formation width £0.40 linear metre £0.00
£0.00
REMOVE DAMAGED OR BLOCKED CULVERTS Excavation of an existing culvert, with a maximum 350 mm internal diameter pipe, up to
9m long, in trench up to 900 mm deep. Side cast aggregates locally, and dispose of £17.00 linear metre £0.00
pipe in an approved tip
Excavation and removal of existing damaged pipe, Excavation of an existing culvert, between 350 mm and 750 mm internal diameter pipe,
whether concrete, stone, or upvc - to include disposal of up to 9m long, in trench up to 1200 mm deep. Side cast aggregates locally, and dispose £15.25 linear metre £0.00
pipe to an approved tip. Surplus granular material to be of pipe in an approved tip
disposed locally.
Excavation of an existing culvert, with a minimum 750 mm internal diameter pipe, up to
12m long, in trench up to 1,500 mm deep. Side cast aggregates locally, and dispose of £20.00 linear metre £0.00
pipe in an approved tip
£0.00
DESILTING OF CULVERT CATCHPITS Desilting of culvert up to 300 mm in diameter. Spread and level arisings locally £55.00 each £0.00
Desilting of an existing culvert, with either spreading and Desilting of culvert, 300 mm to 600 mm in diameter. Spread and level arisings locally £68.00 each £0.00
levelling of arisings locally, or transportation and Desilting of culvert, 600 mm to 900 mm in diameter. Spread and level arisings locally £85.00 each £0.00
deposition at an on site tip. To include cleaning of catch
pit, and 5m along head and tail ditch Desilting of culvert, 900 mm to 1200 mm (and over) in diameter. Spread and level
arisings locally £125.00 each £0.00

Desilting of culvert, up to 600 mm in diameter, with transportation of arisings and

£82.00 each £0.00
deposition to an on site tip - maximum 500m
Desilting of culvert, 600 mm to 900 mm in diameter, with transportation of arisings and
deposition to an on site tip - maximum 500m £130.00 each £0.00

Desilting of culvert, 900 mm to 1200 mm in diameter (and over), with transportation of

arisings and deposition to an on site tip - maximum 500m £198.00 each £0.00
£0.00
RE-PROFILING / DE-VEGETATION / MAINTENANCE De-vegetate with a roading blade, grade, regulate, reshape and re-compact; CURRENT
CONDITION - Light to Moderate vegetation £1.20 linear metre £0.00

Restore the full width of the formation profile (min 4m), Extra cost over previous. CURRENT CONDITION - Moderate to Heavy vegetation £0.90 linear metre £0.00
including the ditch and structural verge. Restoration by
de-vegetating, grading, regulating, shaping, trimming & Extra cost over previous - Remove mud and harvesting debris from the formation width,
ensuring ditches are free from debris; all arisings to be spread locally £0.70 linear metre £0.00
compacting the full width of the surface layer (nominally
100mm thick) - to include loading bays, transfer points Extra cost over previous - Remove mud and harvesting debris from the formation width,
and other passing places. ensuring ditches are free from debris; transportation of arisings and deposition to an on £1.50 linear metre £0.00
site tip - maximum 500m
Maintenance of road surface before or after operational Rectify Potholes / damaged surface: Scarify the full extent of the damaged area, to the
use. depth of the potholes or deformations. Re-grade the damaged area with in-situ
materials to restore camber / crossfall as required, and compact to shed all water to £3.30 m2 £0.00
perimeter ditch
Make good areas of disturbed road surface. Lay and compact granular material (as a
pavement layer) MOT Type 1 or acceptable equivalent, to a minimum compacted depth £3.30 m2 £0.00
of 300mm. Replicate crossfall / camber of existing road.