Drainage improvement works completed at King George V Playing Fields

Visitors to the King George V Playing fields in North Holmwood and regular users of the site’s football pitches can look forward to a future free of waterlogged playing surfaces. Work commissioned by Mole Valley District Council to improve the drainage of the pitches has been completed this month, in preparation for the autumn and winter months.
 
In response to reports of excessive amounts of water on football pitches at the King George V playing fields located just outside Dorking during periods of wet weather, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) commissioned work to resolve this issue. Conducted over two two-day periods during May 2024, the appointed contractor carried out specialist work to increase the efficiency of the existing drainage systems under the football pitches and, in so doing, enable surface water to be carried into the subsoil.
 
Public access to the pitches was not restricted whilst work was undertaken and the wet ground conditions experienced on the dates (14th/15th and 28th/29th May) the contractors were on-site actually increased the effectiveness of the deep “verti drainage” and aeration work employed. The equipment used creates multiple small holes on the surface of the turf, making room for increased levels of oxygen in the soil.

Local Councillor Clayton Wellman said: "We are delighted to finally bring forward the drainage improvement works at King George V playing fields which will improve the enjoyment, availability and usability of these fields for all of our residents."
 
Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at MVDC, Councillor Nick Wright, said: “I am hugely proud of the range of work we do to actively encourage and support our residents to live more active lives. Excessive surface water on what would undoubtedly otherwise be well-used football pitches is not acceptable and had to be addressed.
 
“I am confident that the drainage improvement works carried out ahead of the wetter autumn and winter months will help inspire greater use of these pitches. In the new year, having evaluated the difference this work has had, we would look to commission a rolling set of works at these playing fields to protect these pitches in the years to come.”