Luton

In October 1998 Luton Traffic Management received £67,000 of revenue money to be spent on Home Zones within six months. This led to a rapid search of streets that conformed to set criteria. This included residential streets less than 500 metres long with a relatively high accident rate and problems with through traffic or rat running.

Two streets were chosen and a consultation meeting was initiated in both the areas. One street simply wanted traffic calming and declined the council's offer of extending the street into a social space. Upwell Road residents were more positive, and whilst most said that they didn't think it would work, they said that the council were welcome to try a scheme. The consultation then consisted of an exhibition, leaflet drops, posters attached to lampposts and a telephone interview with all the residents. The consultation phase cost £20,000 of the budget.

The scheme consists of road bumps, planters, grassed areas with block inserts for parking, entry treatments and tree planting. This reduced the speed of the 85th percentile of traffic to between 18 and 20mph. The biggest single problem with the scheme was the entry signs; a compilation of several road signs on one board solved the problem in a large and unwieldy way. The sign has a 'access only', a 20mph limit sign and two nameplates that said 'Upwell Road Home Zone'. Luton designed a specific picture to identify the area as a Home Zone, which they used as an advisory sign.

The residents appear to have taken ownership of the trees and planters in that they are kept watered, litter free and generally on good order. Levels of vandalism have significantly dropped in this street. Whilst no specific play equipment was provided, there is a visible increase of children in the street, using the whole street in safety. Drivers appeared to be respecting the rights of pedestrians and children. Luton Borough Council Department of Planning and Development reports how the residents were looking after the street and using the road as a play space.

The department has also introduced a monitoring scheme. Speeds of vehicles in the street have dropped from an average of 30mph to 18-20mph and there have been no accidents within the first year (to March 2000).

These changes have not been observed in neighbouring streets, residents of these streets are campaigning to introduce similar measures.

Summary
Whilst this may look like a glorified traffic calming scheme the limited time and budget has compromised the objectives. Not only is there less traffic in this street but this has ensured that the street space is well used for social opportunities and play.

Copyright: Matthew Bridgestock, Home Zones Good Practice in Britain and Henbury, Bristol Feasibility Study, Publication date March 2000.

If you are interested in the full publication, e-mail Matthew