Problem of Waterlogged Sports Pitches Being Tackled
Council acts to reduce number of fixtures being cancelled
Judi Gasser viewing progress at Garratt Park at the start of the project
December 13, 2023
The frustration experienced by local sports teams due to the cancellation of pitches looks set to be reduced thanks to a programme of drainage works.
Waterlogged sports pitches across the borough of Wandsworth have been an issue for some time but now a project has begun to improve drainage and upgrade the playing surfaces of 78 pitches.
The project will see upgrades to pitches at Garratt Park, Garrett Green, King George’s Park, Wandsworth Park, Tooting Common, Battersea Park, Wandsworth Common, Roehampton Playing Fields, Fishponds Playing Fields and the borough’s main multi-discipline sports complex at Barn Elms.
The drainage works will benefit 32 full size football pitches, nine mid-size ones for older children and 19 for younger children who play seven-a-side matches. The project also includes nine full size rugby pitches and one junior rugby pitch as well as two in-field running tracks.
Thirteen pitches at Wandsworth Common and 12 at Tooting Common are included in the scheme, with eight more on Roehampton Playing Fields. The works also include upgrades to 22 pitches at Barn Elms.
Work taking place recently at Garratt Park
Work has now begun at Garratt Park at the start of the two-year project – and Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Environment Judi Gasser visited there this week to check on progress.
She said, “I was delighted to see that work is well underway on phase one of this important scheme. We hope it will lead to far fewer sports fixtures being called off because the ground is waterlogged.
“We are doing everything we can to encourage people to become more active for the health and wellbeing benefits this provides. We fully recognise the importance of sports and physical activity to keeping people mentally and physically well and the role it plays in creating strong communities.”
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