New parks contract to save taxpayer £10m (From Wandsworth Guardian)

New parks contract to save taxpayer £10m

4:40pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

The borough's parks are to be maintained by company Quadron after a multi-million pound contract was accepted by Wandsworth council.

The £2.4m per year deal represents a saving of £850,000 a year for taxpayers and if the contract runs for the full 12-year term the total savings in the borough will exceed £10m.

The council's environment spokesman Councillor Jonathan Cook said: "This is a win win situation for local people.

"We were very impressed with the professionalism and commitment to quality that Quadron have promised and delighted to have been able to secure a very cost effective, value for money deal for our residents.

Wandsworth boasts 1,600 acres of parks, commons and open spaces - the largest proportion for any inner London authority - and almost five times the size of Hyde Park.

Last year more than 200,000 bulbs, shrubs and perennials were planted, along with more than 820 trees.

There are now more than 60,000 trees growing in local parks and another 15,000 in residential streets.