Youngsters learn about the dangers of building sites

DON’T treat building sites as playgrounds – that was the safety message in a recent talk to children at Silkmore Primary School from Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) and Bullock Construction.

SARH and development contractor Bullock are currently carrying out a £1.5 million refurbishment project to 44 flats near the school on Sidney Avenue, in Penkside, which includes creating a pitched roof, installing high performing insulating external cladding and new double glazed windows.

SARH Customer Liaison Officer Sandra Shipperley and Bullock Construction Liaison Officer Michael Pickton met with the children and demonstrated the type of safety wear and procedures that its construction workers have in place to keep them safe.

This was followed with a specially produced DVD for children highlighting what could go wrong when entering a building site without permission.

“The event was light-hearted but with a very serious message and at the end all the children agreed that it would not be a good idea to anywhere near a building site,” said Sandra Shipperley.

Work to the Sidney Avenue flats is now reaching high levels of activity with the new pitched roof expected to be put in place soon.

The project will lower energy bills as less heating will be required to warm the homes and improve the look of the flats.

“With such a major project taking place locally it is important that we engage with people of all ages in the community to keep them informed of the work going to improve where they live,” said Paul Hare, Head of Asset Management for SARH.