Willmott Dixon has taken its long-term role updating schools in Milton Keynes one step further by helping to create a new centre that will educate over 17,000 school children about dangers found in the world around them.

The Milton Keynes safety centre, known as Hazard Alley, creates innovative ways to introduce children to important elements of the national curriculum, including: peer pressure, bullying, vandalism and personal safety.

To support it, Willmott Dixon built a mock site office and construction site to the centre to help young people learn about the threats posed by construction sites, with each zone incorporates realistic settings, interactive equipment and special effects to make them as authentic as possible.

Peter Owen, managing director at Willmott Dixon:

"We believe in giving back to local communities and supporting young people in any way we can. We are pleased to have provided the centre with a zone on construction to engage young people about the dangers found on a building site. We also want to thank all of our sub-contractors that supplied materials and time free of charge for this project.

“Hazard Alley is a great example of how communities can support and educate children, the centre is a great way for children to learn outside of the classroom and have new and challenging experiences.”

Several of Willmott Dixon’s supply chain partners participated in the project, including: Jewson Nuneaton , Parish Joinery, Reynolds, Smith Recycling, TOL Decorators and Dale Studios, which supplied signage and artwork partly sponsored by Graffic Groundworks.

Hazard Alley is a registered charity and is not centrally funded. Due to this, the centre relies upon donations and support from the public and private sector. Currently, Hazard Alley educates children from 6 – 12 years old on how to stay safe on the road, railway, at home, around fire and water, on the internet, on building sites and on farms. The centre also educates children about first aid, anti-social behaviour and the consequences of crime.