Barrow-in-Furness is a large industrial town located at the southwestern peninsula of Cumbria. In its hey-day in the fifties and sixties it was a very famous and prosperous town primarily because of its shipbuilding exploits. HRH the Queen was a regular visitor to launch locally constructed ships that included the QE2. In modern times however with the demise of British shipbuilding industry in general, the town has been allowed to decay.

The Barrow Urban Regeneration schemes at Duke Street/Howard Street and Ramsden Square in Barrow were the first two schemes to be constructed as part of the multi-million pound urban regeneration programme. These two schemes were combined as one and comprised the creation of urban landscaping at these two town- centre locations.

The schemes were designed and supervised by Capita Infrastructure Consultancy on behalf of the Borough of Barrow Council.

Continental Landscapes Limited constructed both schemes during the summer of 2003. Their combined value was £250k. The works involved the construction of both hard and soft landscaping in association with elements of civil engineering, and followed by a two-year maintenance contract. The form of contract was a JCLI (960) Standard Form of Contract for Landscape Works & Maintenance.

The soft landscaping works included placing large areas of turf, and planting 4000 shrubs, 3500 bulbs and 150 trees, that comprised a variety of species. The hard landscaping works included laying a variety concrete flags and kerbs, stone setts and tegula blocks. The engineering works included major earthworks and demolition works, the construction of brick walls, the installation of decorative fences and railings, the installation of street lighting and decorative columns, and the provision of a variety of decorative litter bins, traffic bollards and seating.

Continental Landscapes Limited was responsible for all aspects of project management, setting out, and health and safety. They established a robust supply chain of subcontractors and material suppliers to complete the works, in addition other specified named companies from within the contract documentation.