Repair work starts on College Green in Bristol

14th February 2012, 14:48

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Extensive turfing on College Green will take place over the next few weeks to restore the area to its former glory following the peaceful eviction of the Occupy Bristol encampment on 31st January.

Work will involve digging out contaminated soil and a further outdoor vacuuming of the site with specialist equipment to remove debris and scan for metal objects. Now that the site has been cleared, officer advice is that the damage is so extensive that the most appropriate way forward would be extensive re-turfing, at around £20,000.

However two horticultural contractors - Craig West Turf and Elmtree Garden Contractors have made a good will offer to returf the whole site
for only £4,000 plus VAT, supported by the council's in-house landscaping team.

Work is expected to be completed by the end of February, then fencing around the site will need to remain for a further month to let the new
turf settle. It is expected that College Green will be open to the public at the beginning of April, in plenty of time for use in the
spring and the next events booked onto the Green.

Council Leader Barbara Janke said: "Following the peaceful eviction of the protesters, it is now full steam ahead to return the Green back
to its proper use as a public space all the city can use and enjoy. This is a fantastic offer from these two contractors to help towards the cost
of reinstating College Green, saving the council tax payer thousands of pounds."

Cllr Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Targeted Improvements said: "The contractors, together with our excellent landscape team, can now get cracking to return College Green to the people of Bristol as soon as possible. This much-loved green space at the heart of the city is a
centrepiece attraction for residents, workers and visitors. It is one of the jewels in our crown in the annual Britain in Bloom competition and
one of the reasons we perform so well both regionally and nationally, which we intend repeat this year as well."

Work over the next few weeks will continue. Some areas will need to be dug out and removed entirely, particularly around the former camps toilet, kitchen and bonfire areas.  Although some seeding might be successful, this would most likely lead to a lasting mix and match appearance of the site, which would not match the consistently high standard of the grass before occupation.