Breedon fund construction of much-needed pedestrian crossing
Company improves road safety at Hill Top Community Centre and Hill Top Academy in Edlington
BREEDON have funded the construction of a new pedestrian crossing, including the donation of more than 180 tonnes of asphalt, outside Hill Top Academy in an effort to improve road safety in Edlington, Doncaster.
The crossing, which helps pedestrians safely access Hill Top Community Centre and Hill Top Academy, has been made possible through the donation of construction materials supplied by Breedon. The materials provider also covered the cost of the design and installation, including survey work, consent applications, and legal agreements, working closely with the local community to bring the long-awaited improvement to life.
The material donation included 188 tonnes of asphalt, with 170 tonnes of high-performance stone-mastic asphalt (SMA) designed to provide extra skid resistance for improved safety. The design and project management services were carried out by ECB Design Group Ltd, with the materials expertly laid by Thomas Bow.
The project, which was completed on Edlington Lane, showcases Breedon’s continued commitment to making a material difference in the communities surrounding its sites and quarries. The crossing had been campaigned for by locals for many years, but due to a lack of funding, businesses were called upon for support. Breedon were already known to the community through their quarry liaison group, which is why the company became involved.
To further strengthen community relationships and impact, Breedon are also working with The Helping Hands Community Centre, supported by the local councillor, to deliver educational outreach programmes in partnership with local schools in the area, including Hill Top Primary Academy, to engage pupils in real-word education and inspire a future generation in the opportunities available in the construction sector.
Commenting on the works, James Bell, town planner and estates surveyor at Breedon, said: ‘Breedon are committed to building a positive relationship between our quarry site at Holme Hall Quarry and the local community in Edlington, and the crossings work we’ve supported at Hill Top Primary Academy is a clear reflection of this.
‘Our Good Neighbour Policy ensures that we put our relationship with the community at the heart of the work we do, and we’re delighted to see the positive impact the pedestrian crossing project is already having on both pupils who attend Hill Top Academy and the wider community.’
Nichola Clark, principal at Hill Top Academy, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to Breedon, Thomas Bow, and ECB for the recent installation of a new pedestrian crossing outside our school. This improvement has made a huge difference to the safety and well-being of our school community.
‘Parents, children, and staff now feel significantly safer during busy drop-off and pick-up times. Our dedicated crossing patrol lady has also expressed how much more secure and visible she feels while helping families cross the road each day.
‘The quality of the work carried out was excellent, and the impact on our school environment has been immediate and very positive.’
Commenting on the crossing, Kelly Widdowson, the centre manager at Helping Hands Community Centre who led the campaigning for the pedestrian crossing project, said: ‘Myself and a group of other parents had been campaigning since 2017 to get a crossing outside the centre to support the children and vulnerable adults in Edlington using this busy road. So, it was fantastic to receive this type of support from Breedon and to see our plans, which have been a long time in the making, finally come to fruition.’
Councillor Joan Briggs, Edlington & Warmsworth Ward, added: ‘After listening to residents' concerns for a number of years about how dangerous it was to cross the very busy main road to access both Hill Top Academy and Helping Hands Community Centre, I approached Breedon to ask if they would consider sponsoring a crossing. Without hesitation they said yes. The rest, as they say, is history.
‘We now have a splendid zebra crossing that serves a very happy and appreciative community. We are grateful to Breedon, Thomas Bow, and ECB.’
