Golf course flooding solved by Duncan Ross

Drainage installed by Duncan Ross Contractors has relieved an area of severe flooding on family owned Goosnargh Golf Course, set in the heart of Lancashire near the village of Goosnargh.

The problem resulted from settlement following the North West National Grid laying a very large NTS underground pipeline across a small section of the course several years ago.

Compaction had occurred in the top 200mm of the 300-400mm of stone backfill, preventing the water from reaching the existing drainage system. Despite the drains flowing freely with no apparent backfall, the compacted area couldn't cope with excessive and sustained rainfall.

Landowner Helen Kevern alerted the North West National Grid of the situation. They responded by calling in the Land Drainage Consultancy (LDC) which represents the National Grid in the event of any problems following any of their pipeline installations.

Tony Chapman from LDC consulted with the owners and appointed specialist sports turf contractors Duncan Ross Land Drainage to find the solution.

"The answer lay in constructing additional lateral drains placed at 0.55m deep with 80mm pipes to allow the water to be re-directed to the main drainage system," explained managing director Duncan Ross.

"We ensured the spoil was excavated and removed straight away to avoid any contamination then backfilled the entire 820 metres of trenches with 6mm stone at 150mm depth from the surface. We then topped with a sand and soil mix before seeding. Areas where the grass had died were re-turfed to ensure the re-instatement was complete."

Everyone is extremely pleased with how the project has been run. "Duncan Ross did a first class job in very difficult and wet conditions," said Tony Chapman. "They utilised a rare and short break in the appalling weather to complete the job with minimum disruption. The re-instatement was done in a professional, economic and extremely competent manner."

Helen, too, is delighted. "It was the best Christmas present we could have wished for," she said. "The work was done quickly with very little disruption and I am very pleased that the situation with water logging has now been resolved. The Duncan Ross team were great and it was a pleasure to have them on site. I would recommend them to anyone. "

Duncan Ross Ltd is one of the leading specialist sports turf contractors and always offers a personal hands-on approach to all of its projects. Working with fellow professionals to ensure that best practice is encouraged and affordable however large or small the task. www.duncanrosslanddrainage.co.uk