A CONSTRUCTION firm in the midst of a major crossroad redevelopment project has helped revamp a nearby school playground.

Howard Civil Engineering has been working on improving Greengates Crossroad for more than a year now.

The landscape of the area has drastically changed, with buildings knocked down and roads extended in the hope of alleviating traffic at the busy junction, when the scheme is completed - expected to be Spring 2022.

Now the firm has helped brighten up the playground area for nursery and reception pupils at Greengates Primary Academy, in Stockhill Road.

It has installed retaining planters along the playground pathway and made custom-built benches and play walls.

Pupils will also be able to enjoy a new vegetable garden and sensory area, when they return to school in September.

The work has all been made possible thanks to the help of local suppliers.

Headmaster Andrew Gaunt, said the playground was previously "blank, muddy, and uninspiring," with the pathway close to crumbling away completely.

He added: "We were on a really tight budget and the edging boards of the pathway were rotting.

"It would have cost us thousands to remodel the whole thing, so what Howard Civil Engineering have done with the help of local businesses such as Palmer Plants and Road Traffic Solutions is beyond amazing.

"The school staff have been blown away with the results and they can’t wait for the children to enjoy the new play areas when they return to school next month."

Howard Civil Engineering has already donated materials to the school, which enabled it to create a new construction area for the nursery and reception pupils.

Mr Gaunt said this could even be inspiring the next generation of construction workers.

He added: "It is possible that the nearby Greengates junction improvement works have peaked the children’s interest in construction and made this a very popular theme of play, as they have used the new construction play area relentlessly."

Howard Civil Engineering project manager, Simon Doling, was thrilled with the outcome of his team's efforts.

He said: "We based the design for the new play wall off a previous design we had constructed for Crossflatts Primary School last year, so this is becoming quite a regular thing.

"On a more serious note, it is very fulfilling to give back to our local community and we have thoroughly enjoyed working on the new equipment and structures for Greengates Primary Academy."