The Dings Home Zone
The Dings is a small residential area north of Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. Blighted by rat-running and a severe commuter parking problem, the area suffered from acute access problems for emergency vehicles and traffic danger for residents.
As part of the EU-funded VIVALDI project, Sustrans and Bristol City Council worked with the local community to develop a home zone in the Dings. Involving communities in the design process was seen as an essential aspect of creating the home zone. Community ownership of a design results in an improved sense of ownership over the spaces and places concerned.
In order to deliver the whole of the master-layout, the city council successfully bid for additional funding from Bristol's New Deal for Communities programme, Community at Heart. Construction began in September 2004 and was completed in January 2006.
Innovations and highlights of the Dings Home Zone
The project aimed to deliver a combination of innovative elements:
- Positive parking - limiting parking to marked bays only, avoiding the need for yellow lines as part of the new residents parking scheme
- Extensive use of 'design for uncertainty' to slow drivers in shared use areas
- Comprehensive community involvement programme carried out by Sustrans
- Community Arts Programme - employing artists and a writer to develop substantial creative and artistic content with residents to be included into the fabric - in association with the Sustrans Art in the Travelling Landscape programme
- New cycle / walkway through the site linking to the National Cycle Network and the mainline rail station
- Promotion of non-car travel choices including cycle training
- Inclusion of a Car Club for short term rental as an alternative to car ownership
- Integrating with the home zone in the adjacent new developments
- Provision of safer routes to the adjacent school
- Use of a Sustainable Urban Drainage System to simplify the drainage system on the shared surfaces
- Upgrading utilities for water, telecoms and electricity
The Dings Community Arts Programme
In 2002, residents of the Dings, supported by Sustrans arts and community workers, and encouraged by Community at Heart's Arts co-ordinator, set up the Dings Art Group. Two projects were commissioned by this group:
- New 'gateways' for the 3 entrances to the Dings
Artist Walter Jack has produced three striking artworks that will form the gateway to the Dings home zone. The huge cast iron letters will spell out the word D i n g s and will also act as benches and bollards reducing the need for excess clutter in the street. These will give a strong message that you are entering the Dings home zone, making drivers aware of the need to drive differently and distinctly marking out the Dings identity;
- Words of the 'Story of the Dings' to be built into the fabric such as the surfaces, walls, seats and gateways created by Teucer Wilson.
Local memories and feelings about The Dings have been captured in 11 carved stone and cast iron plaques and medallions which have been installed on walls and paving throughout the home zone. Their individual insights and memories paint a picture which reveals the nature of the Dings and the spirit of its people.
For further information please contact liveableneighbourhoods@sustrans.org.uk