THE firm building Newport's major Southern Distributor Road is appealing to parents to help it keep children off the site during the two-year construction period.

Last week the Argus revealed that Ben Edwards, eight, suffered burns to his leg while playing near the SDR route at Brain Close, Ringland.

A hammer slipped out of his friend's hand and struck a stone, which hit an exposed electric cable.

Ben needed hospital treatment, but was not seriously injured. But Morgan Vinci Ltd, the international consortium building the road, has called for full support from locals in making the project as safe as possible.

The plea is being backed by Newport Council, as developers of the new route. Bob Fairful, director of Morgan Vinci, said: "This is a much-needed road and one which the people of Newport are eagerly awaiting.

"We want to get it built and into operation in the safest way possible and we need the collective support of parents, schools and community representatives in warning children of the dangers of going onto construction sites.

"As a consortium we are totally committed to safety and we cannot emphasise strongly enough the hazards facing children who trespass onto sites."

The consortium has already employed full-time health and safety adviser Frank Cueto at its Newport site office to ensure the highest standards of safety practice.

In addition, meetings and well-attended information events have already been held involving local schools and neighbourhood groups along the 9.3 kilometre line of the road.

The Health and Safety Executive launched a campaign last week to warn children of the dangers of construction sites.

The HSE is distributing 80,000 copies of its new booklet "Stay Safe - Building Site Safety" through schools and community groups across the country.

And Newport Councillor Bob Bright, public protection cabinet member, said: "I would urge parents to keep their children safe this summer by explaining the dangers associated with construction sites."

Morgan Vinci aim to continue its safety drive via local community groups through the summer holiday period - and renew its information exercise in schools when the children return in September.

As well as literature and information issued through the media, there will be a dedicated website for the project in operation from this week giving up-to-date information on construction activity as well as safety warnings.