Better street design brings better life, say residents

Print Print page   Download PDF PDF image

Residents on a Plymouth estate are praising a scheme that is reducing the impact of traffic near their homes.

More children playing on the streets, fewer crimes, and more community spirit have followed the introduction of the Morice Town Home Zone.

And some of the features of the early Home Zones are already being copied by a number of local authorities.

Home Zones turn residential streets into places for people rather than places dominated by motor traffic.

They can improve people's quality of life by encouraging them to change the way they use their streets.

They are created when residents team up with their local authority and professionals, like traffic engineers and urban designers.

Together, they can change the layout of their local streets. Reducing traffic speed is an essential part of achieving results.

Around 20 government-supported zones in England and Wales have been completed or are near completion. Another 40 are being developed.

The Morice Town zone was one of nine pilots originally backed by the Department for Transport in January 2002.

More community activity

Transport minister, David Jamieson, is visiting the Morice Town Home Zone on 18 September 2004, two years after opening it.

Residents agree that it has brought a number of benefits including:

  • a fall in recorded crimes from 92 between April 2001 and March 2002 to nine between 2003 and 2004
  • fewer people worrying about traffic noise and pollution, and
  • a better looking neighbourhood.

More community activity has also followed in the wake of the zone. An annual fair, a carol service, a history club and gardening club have all been started.

People involved in the zone's management group have gone on to create the Morice Town Community Forum.

The Forum looks at wider community issues and devises solutions. Currently, it is tackling vandalism, local transport and housing.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) recently named the Morice Town zone as one of the UK's most 'inspiring spaces'. CABE campaigns for well-designed buildings and public spaces.

The scheme cost around £2.3m. Money came from the Department for Transport, and other sources like Plymouth City Council and the Single Regeneration Budget.

Commenting on the zone, Mr Jamieson said:

"The experience gained in creating the Morice Town scheme will help establish good practice throughout the country.

"We are delighted that the Department for Transport has been able to support this initiative which has enabled the residents of Morice Town to reclaim the area outside of their front doors."

Zone building

In April 2001, the Prime Minister announced £30m for the Home Zone Challenge Fund.

The Government selected 61 schemes to receive funding and individual awards ranging from £90,000 to £1.5m in January 2002. (More information at www.homez oneschallenge.com).

These schemes would demonstrate what works best so that local authorities would go on to support and build the next generation of zones.

Local authorities have begun to adapt techniques from the zones into new housing developments.

And outside the Home Zones Challenge, local authorities are developing other schemes. (More information at www.homezonenews.org.uk )

The department wants to hear the views of local authorities, professional bodies and individuals about the draft regulations and guidance for home zones .