Derby based Talbot Landscapes has won a multi-year contract award for landscaping maintenance in The Royal Parks. The award is a 5-year contract and includes renovation following the Winter Wonderland and British Summertime festivals (Hyde Park), the Freize and Taste events (at The Regent’s Park) and maintenance work following events such as state visits and the London Marathon across the Royal Parks.
Framework Agreement
Within the 5-year framework, the Winter Wonderland renovation itself is the single largest turf installation project in Europe each year and involves the application of bespoke turf equipment from Talbot Landscapes alongside their experienced team on the renovation of the Parade Grounds in Hyde Park during the January to April period and other landscaping maintenance activities across the other parks throughout the year.
Landscaping activities
Talbots become the Principal Contractor for the works and ensure that all works are managed and carried out in full compliance with CDM (2015) rules and regulations. Talbots produce a Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan (CPP) and follow the principles of the Considerate Constructors Scheme code of practice and The Royal Park Rules for Contractors.
The turf used is inspected weekly from sowing to harvesting to produce an excellent sward. The ground preparation and turf laying includes inspection and hazard identification, underground service scan, installation of fencing and signage for Public Protection, renovation, decompaction, cultivation, rootzone application, turfing, rolling and maintenance.
Specialist turf equipment is deployed including 140hp turf tractors, powered with current stage V emission limited standards and fitted with urban silenced engines, which are NRMM compliant. The turf tractors are fitted with LGP (low ground pressure) ‘turf’ tyres to reduce compaction and all traffic on site is marshalled according to agreed traffic and waste management plans. Great care is exercised to protect the resident biosphere including tree roots and to prevent disruption or damage to existing infrastructure and utilities.
Sustainability and supply chain resilience.
Having carried out this contract successfully since 2014, the Talbot’s team are practiced in the laying of 130,000m2 of turf over a four-month period in all weather conditions at Hyde Park. A robust procurement system to accommodate challenges in material supply is important to deliver rootzone, topsoil, turf and topdressing reliably in these volumes.
The experience on The Royal Parks and other similar prestigious contracts has built a unique and resilient skillset in the team. With environmental policy and practices consistent with ISO:14001, Talbots have set interim emission reduction targets and a Net Zero target for 2035 within a corporate and social responsibility strategy.
Significant contract awards
Business as usual, alongside the renewal of The Royal Parks five year contract, the team at Talbot Landscapes has also secured a repeat contract with an established customer (a one year contract at Wantage, Oxford , £2m).
We transform landscapes
We were contracted to design and build a natural turf sports pitch in the most challenging of conditions.
We embrace the opportunity to produce the best surfaces possible for young and ambitious athletes.
