A BUILDING contractor appointed to carry out major upgrade work to a Basingstoke primary school has won a national award for the project.

Dawnus Construction Ltd won a Gold Award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s 2015 National Site Awards for its work at Chiltern Primary School, in Chiltern Way.

The annual awards recognise the highest levels of consideration and care shown by construction sites throughout the UK towards their local neighbourhood, the general public, their workforce and the environment.

Only 98 UK sites achieved the gold standard this year from more than 9,000 projects.

A report on the site said: “Careful consideration to integrating with the school was evident at this site, with the planning and siting of operational areas carefully devised for maximum safety and minimum disruption.

“Excellent segregation was in place between pedest rian and vehicular movements and safe routes were established throughout the development.

“All site deliveries were controlled by a banksman, first-aiders were readily identifiable and evacuation drills were undertaken in conjunction with the school.”

It was also noted that considerable efforts had been made to interact with the school, and a number of activities were created such as an end-of-term awards ceremony and escorted tours of the site for pupils and staff.

Diana Montgomery, chief executive of the Construction Products Association, presented the award to Darren Beard, of Dawnus Construction, at a ceremony held at The Plaisterers Hall, in London.

Mike Petter, chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, said: “It is our privilege to reward the efforts of all those involved in projects which set the bar in terms of considerate construction.”