£2m Murrayfield back pitches to be ready by end of the year

WORK on the redevelopment of Murrayfield's back pitches is expected to be completed by December, it has been announced.

The work, which started in the summer and is costing an estimated £2 million, was badly delayed by the poor weather earlier this year, but with around 25 people now working full time on the project a December completion date has been set.

John Litster, Scottish Rugby's Facilities Manager, said the flood-lighting columns, irrigation and turf of the back pitches had been removed.

A new drainage system has been installed and sand from Levenseat quarry in West Lothian has been brought in to form the rootzone layer. The bases of the new flood-lighting columns are currently being installed.

Progress is also well under way on the artificial pitch and turf is due to be laid on the first grass pitch before the end of this month.

The work was needed as the Water of Leith flood prevention scheme and the trams meant that two of the six back pitches had to be lost.

It is thought that May 2009 will see the first major use of the pitches, as part of the Martin Currie Festival of Rugby.