Background
 The
North West Bognor Regis area comprises post-war council housing, much of
which has been bought by the tenants. The
streets have their own character and style of housing and each road has
its own sense of community. There
is concern from the residents about road danger and fear of crime in local
alleyways.
Scheme Objectives
 | Casualty
reduction,
|
| reduced
traffic speeds,
|
| reduced
through traffic/traffic volume,
|
| encourage
and increase walking and cycling for all journeys and for recreation,
|
| encourage
and enhance free and independent play for children,
|
| improve
mobility for mobility and visually impaired people and for the
elderly,
|
| improve
personal safety,
|
| reduce
pollution levels,
|
| facilitate
potential use of Home Zone streets for purposes other than passage of
traffic.
|
Impacts
The visual environment has improved, and feedback has been positive. Less
litter is being dropped and residents are taking more interest in the
street, looking after planters for example.
The Home Zone has formed a good educational tool for local schools
on lifestyle, environmental and human geography issues. There
is anecdotal evidence of increased walking and cycling numbers and reduced
car journeys to school as well as greater levels of interaction between
residents in Home Zone.
|
|
Progress
- March 2005
West
Sussex County Council's Home Zone has now been completed.
The County Council organised a 'Launch day' to symbolise the
hand-over of the completed scheme to the community, and this was held on
Monday 20th December, this date being coincident with certification for
substantial completion. The 'launch day' was marked by holding a Christmas
Fayre in the grounds of the nearby school, and there was a ceremony held
within the Home Zone streets to mark the event. This was attended by
Charlotte Atkins MP and local politicians, stakeholders and residents,
together with representatives from all elements of the Home Zone team.
Carols were sung by children from local schools, plaques presented to mark
the occasion and a ceremonial switching on of christmas lights on the Home
Zone Christmas tree. Despite some very cold weather on the day the event
was well supported and successful. Inevitably, some construction issues
were left incomplete and these have had to be addressed in the period
immediately after Christmas, however, the works contract is now complete,
although agreement of final account is still outstanding.
Now that the Home Zone streets are fully laid out as designed,
anecdotal evidence is emerging that motorised vehicle users feel their
presence to be intrusive within the shared highway environment and are
reducing their speed and adjusting their driving patterns accordingly.
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