Pitch suffers from poor construction
Two new pitches were constructed at the school – however on completion the pitches became un-playable on account of the persistent water-logging. A detailed investigation was carried out.
To summarise:
- there was insufficient cross-fall gradient in the pitches to promote run-off
- the soil in the turf layer had restricted water flow into the root zone
- the choice and depth of the root zone material was not acceptable in the circumstances
- the sub soil base appeared highly compacted
- the lateral drains and sand grooves were in-effective
- there remained the question whether the root zone material and turf were imported and laid in wet soil conditions.
There were no detailed specifications and there is no evidence that a professional consultant was employed. The matters contributing to the failure are basic and could have easily been avoided if a professional consultant had been attending to the site during construction. An expert witness statement was prepared and the case went to court.
