Home Zones

What are Home Zones?

The home zone concept originated in the Netherlands with the 'Woonerf' (meaning living yard) in the 1970s. They are a residential street or group of streets in which the living environment predominates over provision for traffic, opening up the streets for social activity. Legally neither pedestrians nor vehicles have priority but the road may be redesigned in favour of pedestrians, for example traffic calming may be put in to reduce vehicle speeds.

What does the home zone sign mean?

The entrance to a home zone includes a sign indicating the status of the area. The home zone signs signify to drivers and pedestrians that they are entering and leaving the designated home zone area. The signs make the driver aware that the road layout is different to normal roads and that they should take extra care and reduce their speed whilst in the home zone. To pedestrians the signs mean that they have shared priority with cars. Exits from the home zone are shown, indicating the end of the status.

   

What are the advantages of home zones?

• Reduced driving speeds - achieved by making the driver slow down as a result of the new physical layout.
• Greater levels of safety than traditional streets - due to speeds being reduced the potential for accidents in the streets should be reduced. This allows for safer play or social gathering of residents, which may also reduce the potential for crime as more people are out and about.
• More efficient use of space - a home zone tries to balance the space available for the movement of vehicles with the provision of space available for other types of resident use.
• A more attractive and visually diverse street scene - creating a people-friendly environment means more consideration being given to the design of paving and planting areas within the street.
• Increased socialisation - people tend to stay in the street space for longer periods of time following home zone treatment and there is evidence that more dialogue takes place between residents of all age groups.

More information about a good practice guide can be found on the Department for Transport website in 'Home Zones - Challenging the Future of Our Streets'.

Home Zones in County Durham

At present two home zone schemes have been completed in the county:

• Thornley
• New Brancepeth

These particular schemes resulted in the improvement of private 'unmade' streets to an 'adoptable' standard and are now maintained by the County Council.

It is recognised, that there are a considerable number of private 'unmade' streets across the county, such as those mentioned above. However, Home Zone schemes are not intended solely as a means of making up these streets for adoption and future maintenance by the Council.

Each individual scheme is considered on it's suitablility as a potential Home Zone, and it is anticipated that no more than 25% of the cost of such a scheme could be covered by Local Transport Plan funding. As demonstrated by the schemes carried out so far, there would be a requirement for additional funding from other initiatives.

From the results of an outcome questionnaire for the two schemes:

• 52% - 63% of residents considered the Homezone to be a complete success
• 58% - 69% of residents considered the street safer for children to play
• 58% - 78% of residents considered the scheme had enhanced the value of their property
• 63% - 69% of residents had a greater sense of neighbourhood pride

Local Transport Plan 2 (LTP2) encourages suggestions by members of the public and local groups for potential Home Zone schemes. If you would like your street to be considered for a Home Zone, and you have the support of your neighbours, email your request to: ltp@durham.gov.uk or alternatively write to:

LTP Team
Environment
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ

Each request will be considered individually on its ability to meet the objectives of LTP2.