Homezones are residential streets and spaces which have been designed (or redesigned) by local residents in order to make them suit the needs of all users. This means pedestrians, cyclists, children playing in the street, residents who want to sit in the sun - and people who want to drive and park motor vehicles.

Decades of highway-engineer-led design has given us neighbourhoods dominated by cars. The oft-accepted notion that the streets are too dangerous for children to play in them can often be changed - by changing the street.

Homezones are not imposed, but rely on residents wanting to change their street and being prepared to help keep it the way they want. It is important to make sure that the views of all ages are sought and incorporated - often by some very complex conflict-resolution!

Local residents were keen to eliminate problems of speeding vehicles and thoughtless parking, which led to their street being dangerous for children and caused grass verges to become unsightly mudbaths. They met, designed, and worked with the council to implement changes