TOPSOIL SALES TEAM
Contact British Sugar TOPSOIL for advice:
Planning your order
Preparation tips
Ensure you have everything in place before ordering your topsoil. Consider the following areas to ensure smooth delivery and application for the best results.
Check the make-up of your 'receiving' soil
Ensure you have an up to date analysis for the topsoil and check it is approved by the client and regulators.
Ensure the area onto which the topsoil is to be tipped is accessible, clean and level to facilitate safe tipping.
Simple, commercially available, soil-testing kits only cover pH. There are other parameters at least as important including the levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs); if the land has been subject to industrial use in the past, there could be significant levels of contaminants still present.
The only way to be sure is to use a professional soil investigation service which will give you a totally independent report covering the following parameters:
pH, electrical conductivity (uS/cm), PTEs, organic matter, nutrient status, texture and soil structure
This type of service will ensure you take remedial action if needed and buy the correct soil for your circumstances.
Prepare & optimise the area
It is vitally important to prepare the area where you're applying the topsoil. The following are particularly important:
Debris
Remove all debris and contaminants such as wood, concrete, bricks, tarmac, glass, etc
De-compactation
Lightly culivate the surface to a depth of approx 30mm to loosen the soil and create a 'key' for the new topsoil.
Preserve this preparation by minimising pedestrian and vehicular traffic, especially in wet conditions.
Drainage
If you do not have a free-draining site then the installation of a suitable drainage system should be considered.
Weeds
Perennial and evasive weeds such as couch grass or Japanese Knotweed must be controlled and removed in accordance with statuatory requirements.
All TOPSOIL products are free of perrenial weeds and Japanese Knotweed.
Plan your planting scheme
In deciding on a particular planting scheme it is very important to consider compatibility with soil type along with other factors such as shelter, moisture and sunlight levels. All these can make a significant difference as to how well the new plants thrive. If in doubt, speak to your supplier or contractor.
Take account of any site restrictions
Site Access Considerations
When buying topsoil, it is important to discuss with your supplier/contractor, details such as site access as this can affect what size of vehicle can be used.
Bulk deliveries can be made by articulated, 8 wheeler or grab lorries depending on access and availability.
As a guide the amount of TOPSOIL carried by these lorries is:
- Articulated lorries approx. 29t
- 8 Wheeler lorries approx. 20t
- Grab lorries approx. 15t
Critical dimensions (see below) are based on the truck approaching the entrance in a straight line. If the approach access is at an angle then more space will be required.
Typical Articulated Truck
| Gross weight | 44 tonne |
| Net weight | 29 tonne |
| Width | 3.2 metres |
| Length | 12.8 metres |
| Height | 4.0 metres |
Typical Rigid Truck
| Gross weight | 32 tonne |
| Net weight | 20 tonne |
| Width | 3.2 metres |
| Length | 11.5 metres |
| Height | 3.7 metres |
Typical Grab Lorry
| Gross weight | 32 tonne |
| Net weight | 15 tonne |
| Width | 3.0 metres |
| Length | 11.3 metres |
| Height | 3.7 metres |
Bulk Bag
Minimum order: 28 bulk bags for delivery (with offloading on site available) , no minimum order for collection.
Considerations:
Do you have an on site means of unloading the bags?
Do you need a self unloading vehicle?
We can deliver by grab or moffet
Some of our accreditations:
