HOME ZONES THE WEST SUSSEX

EXPERIENCE

ALEX SHARKEY

WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

•The concept of the Home Zone

•The background to the Bognor- Regis Home Zone

•How did we think we’d do it?

•How did we deliver?

•What would we do differently?

HOME ZONES

THE WEST SUSSEX EXPERIENCE

WHAT IS A HOME ZONE?

• What is a road or street?

• What do people want to do in a public space?

HOME ZONES ARE -• 10mph maximum

speeds• community led /

owned• community solutions• community

involvement

CHARACTERISTICS

• 41 accidents in 3 years of which 16 were children

• 4 schools approx 3000 pupils

• 3rd most deprived ward in West Sussex

• 35 persons per Ha

• Post war mainly terraced or semi detached

KNOWN CONCERNS

• Traffic Speed

• Crime and fear of crime

• Poor state of public places

• Street lighting

• Crossing safety

• Facilities for the elderly

• Parking

CORE PRINCIPLES

• Do it differently

• Ask what’s best?

• Engage

• Pragmatic - no assumptions as to what is right

• Undermine traditional view of County Council consultation methods

PROJECT STRUCTURE

• The Design Team– 5 WSCC employees– consultancy support– Invited theme groups

• Steering Group - political structure chaired by Policy Advisor

• Community Group

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY• Community must have a large input into

the actual design of the Home Zone.• The surrounding LSZ must reflect the

look and feel of the Home Zone• We should minimise the use of vertical

features if possible• Features should enhance the breadth of

local community interest

CONSULTATION

OR

ENGAGEMENT

Here’s what we’re doing, what do you think?

Here’s what we’re thinking of doing, how can you help?

(The last of the blood sports)

Community Design

Community Badge

How did we deliver?• Mustn’t lose the goodwill during

construction

• Contractor made presentation to residents

• Considerate constructors’ scheme

• Residents’ rep came to progress meetings

• Cost £890k

• Completed ahead of programme

Before After

How did we do?

Post monitoring data

• 3 years before the bid – 41 Accidents, 16 involving children

• 13 months since completing the scheme, 6 slight, 1 involving a child

• Speeds were already low, but have been modestly reduced

• Traffic flows reduced appropriately• Residents’ association still going strong

What would we do differently?

• Size of the scheme• Managing expectation• Managing consultants• Don’t hide behind the safety audit• Timescales – staff continuity• Consultation overload• Proportionally the consultation was

expensive, but to under consult is expensive

What would we do again?• Participation = ownership • Utilise vocal members of the community• We can take risks, we can think laterally• Get the right level of consultation for the right

scheme• Matrix management – use the right skills at

the right time• Give the contractor more responsibility in

community engagement

Conclusion

•DfT say an area is either a Home Zone, or not.

•However, where we can, let’s use principles in schemes elsewhere.