SPORTS FIELD REVIVED

After being out of use for eight years, the sports field at Broughton High School in Lancashire has been restored following extensive drainage and renovation works carried out by Duncan Ross Ltd.

Lancashire County Council brought in the Burscough-based sports turf contractor to investigate and resolve long-standing safety and flooding issues which had left the facility unplayable. A detailed site investigation by the company identified a broken main drain as the cause of the problem, with the old drainage network beneath the surface found to be silted up beyond repair.

Duncan Ross designed and installed a new system including carrier, main, and lateral drains at five-metre centres, along with inspection chambers and outfalls for ease of maintenance. The work also included decompaction, sand topdressing, overseeding and fertiliser applications to help the new surface establish.

Mark Hodges, contracts manager at Lancashire County Council, said the project had provided reassurance that the field would now deliver reliable use for the school. “It was reassuring working with somebody who understands the needs of the school and comes up with a solution,” he commented.

Headteacher David Botes, added that he was extremely pleased with the results, praising the professionalism of the Duncan Ross team.

The field will see limited use this term, with full availability expected by next spring once the surface has fully bedded in.