§ 10. Mrs. Helen ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement about the role of home zones in creating safer communities. [28444]
§ Ms KeebleHome zones can help to create safer communities by increasing the neighbourly use of the street, with adults talking and children playing. I am 169W delighted that we were able to announce grants totalling £30 million towards 61 new home zone schemes in England earlier this month.
§ Mr. LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on the level of road accidents, broken down by type of(a) accident, (b) injury and (c) victim, of the operation of home zones. [30325]
§ Mr. JamiesonHome zones are not road safety schemes as such, but if they are carefully designed, they can make a contribution to overall road safety objectives. My Department is currently monitoring nine pilot home zones in England and Wales. A review of accidents is one of the elements included in the study. Data on personal injury accidents are being collected from the local authorities and interview surveys of a sample of residents in each pilot home zone include questions about road accidents. 'After' data will be collected once the schemes are completed. We would expect on-going monitoring of accidents in any home zone to be carried out by the local authority.