Upgrading Forest Road Near Peebles

In December 2024, we were commissioned to carry out essential upgrades on Forest Road, which is near Peebles, Scotland. The project was initiated by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and was designed to support future timber harvesting and haulage operations while maintaining safe access through an area that is popular with cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts.

This project involved the significant upgrade of an existing 2,150m forest road and the construction of new infrastructure, including passing places and a turning point. This would ensure the route meets all necessary specifications for heavy forestry operations while preserving accessibility and safety for public users.

Primary objectives

The primary objective of the Forest Road upgrade was to establish a robust and sustainable route that would support future felling, haulage and potential SPHN-related access. This included:

• Widening the existing road to improve vehicle access.
• Constructing a new turning point and multiple passing places.
• Replacing and installing culverts to ensure proper drainage.
• Completing extensive quarrying and stone processing for on-site use.
• Reinstating and tying in existing cycle track crossing points.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant health, safety and environmental regulations.

Challenges faced

Operating in a remote and active recreational area posed its own set of challenges. The terrain and steep gradients required careful engineering to ensure safe construction and long-term durability. The site also involved coordination with FLS and required close attention to detailed specifications laid out in the project documents.

The quarrying aspect added another layer of complexity, as our team was responsible for felling tree remnants, stripping the quarry area to rockhead, and managing the full extraction, crushing, and transport of materials—ensuring all works adhered to the Quarry Regulations 1999.

Weather conditions and the need to maintain public safety on nearby bike trails further challenged our operations. Our team worked with precision and efficiency to keep the site safe, clean, and operational throughout the upgrade.

How M.A.M Contracting completed the works

Our experienced M.A.M Contracting team used their vast experience to overcome these challenges and deliver exceptional results.

Road upgrading and widening

The existing 2,150m road was widened by 1 metre, with new side drains installed along its length. A base layer of 350mm compacted stone was added to provide a stable and durable surface.

Turning point and passing places

We constructed a new turning point and multiple passing places using as-dug materials, reinstating all structures to FLS specification.

Surfacing and drainage

The entire road, including turning points and passing places, was surfaced with 63mm down crushed stone at a compacted depth of 150mm, supplied from Stotfield Quarry. Eleven culverts were also replaced with new 450mm diameter twin wall pipes to improve water management.

Cycle track integration

All crossing points for cycle tracks at both ends of the road were tied in with 40mm down crushed stone, maintaining smooth transitions and safety for cyclists.

Quarry management

Our team handled full quarry operations, including lifting and stockpiling felled regen trees, extracting and crushing stone on-site, and ensuring proper stockpiling and cleanup. Safety bunds and compliant access tracks were formed to meet quarrying standards.

Final touches

The road was then prepared for final grading and rolling to ensure a smooth, compact finish that would be ready for long-term forestry use.

The benefits

The successful completion of the Peebles Forest Road upgrade helped deliver a future-proof access route for FLS while maintaining public recreational use. Our detailed execution and adherence to specifications underscore our complete commitment to quality, sustainability and community value.