Pitch Perfect - New Drainage System for Kilmacolm Park
A public meeting is to be held to explain a planned £400,000 Inverclyde Council scheme to tackle drainage issues at Birkmyre Park in Kilmacolm.
Environment & Regeneration Convener Councillor Michael McCormick said: “The rugby pitches are an important and well used asset in the village but have had serious drainage problems for many years. Matches are frequently called off because the competition pitch is unplayable and the training pitch can cut up very quickly and become a bit of a quagmire. The main issue is caused by a layer of rock close to the surface so our technical services team have come up with an innovative and extensive scheme that should allow water to drain quickly and for a much improved playing and training surface.”
Both pitches will have drainage pipes installed under the surface carrying the water to the nearest water course, the Gryfe Water.
Excess soil water will be carried away using perforated land drainage pipes which are carefully sized to allow very small particles to pass through the slots to be flushed out by the flow of water.
A secondary drainage system – slit trench drainage - will be installed through the use of narrow sand-filled trenches spaced one to two metres apart.
A water attenuation tank will also be installed to slowly release drainage water in a controlled discharge before it is allowed to run into the Gryfe Water to minimise the risk of flooding of the water course during heavy rain.
St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm whose pupils regularly use the pitches is contributing £50,000 towards the project.
Councillor McCormick added: “The works are considered a major planning issue so it is necessary to hold a public meeting to explain what is being proposed before the formal planning application is made. The consultation is part of the pre-application process and I hope as many people will come along to hear more details and to let us know what they think.”
The public meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday 1 December 2016 at Kilmacolm Primary School.
Inverclyde Council’s technical services will present the proposal in more detail and will be available to answer any questions.