Coed-y-Lan pupils learn important construction site safety lessons

Youngsters at Pontypridd’s Coed-y-Lan Primary learned about the importance of staying away from building sites and staying safe, when we visited the school along with Rhondda Housing.

We are building the nearby Coed-y-Lan development on behalf of social housing landlord Rhondda Housing Association, on the site of the former Coed-y-Lan Lower Comprehensive School in Lanpark Road.

Morganstone carries out a continuous education programme with schools near our construction sites to help children understand the risks around these sites and how to avoid them.

As part of the presentations, Coed-y-Lan-pupils heard from our Community Engagement Manager, Antonia John, and Site Manager, Jeff Nicholas, and from Rhondda Housing Association’s Development Officer, Kerrin McNie.

And to help share the message, Honor Goodsite, the new Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) mascot, was on hand to entertain the children.

The pupils, were also asked to submit some artwork on a site safety theme, which we will enlarge and turn into eye-catching hoardings placed around the construction site.

Antonia John said: “It is always enjoyable to meet young people in the areas we work in and to share important messages around construction site safety – we are a Welsh company and being a part of the local communities we serve here is something we are committed to.

“The Coed-y-Lan children were very enthusiastic on the day – they particularly enjoyed meeting Honor Goodsite – and I look forward to seeing their artworks.

“Time and again we find that encouraging children to draw some of the important elements of site safety really helps to embed those messages in their minds.

Lesley Davies, Chief Executive from Rhondda Housing, said: “We always want to make sure the wider community feels a part of our regeneration and we would like to thank Coed-Y-Lan school for bringing such enthusiasm and vigour to this event. We are committed to supporting our local communities and getting involved with education which plays such a vital part and can be a real catalyst for change.”

Coed-y-Lan headteacher, Robert James, said: “I would like to thank Antonia and Jeff from Morganstone, and Kayleigh and Kerrin from Rhondda Housing Association, for taking the time to visit the children and for showing such an interest in their safety. I know our young people were really engaged by the visit, which gave them much food for thought.”

The site is due for completion in the last quarter of 2017, providing 18 new homes, including six ground floor units with adaptions for those with special access requirements. The apartments will be built to Welsh Government development quality requirements.