Posted on 10 Aug 2009

PARC HOME ZONE IS STREETS AHEAD

Craigmillar's ParcLife development at Wauchope Square has been nationally recognized - winning the best Home Zone category in the UK Street Design awards.

Laura Sharman, Editor of Local Government News, the publication that organises the awards, said: "The competition is a national competition, in this category we had about thirty entries and it's all independently judged by Living Streets. The reason they choose this over everything else is because it's such a big development and the fact that it is a new Home Zone."

Home Zones attempt to strike a balance between vehicular traffic and everyone else who uses the street, children playing, pedestrians, cyclists and residents. The awards are divided into a number of categories including urban green space, children's play, home zones, pedestrian environment, highways, public lighting, waterways and home zones. A panel that included representatives from Living Streets, Green Space, the Worshipful Company of Paviors, Play England, the Institute of Lighting Engineers and British Waterways judged entries.

Cathy King, Head of Housing and Regeneration at City of Edinburgh Council and a board member of PARC, who received the award on behalf of PARC and the people of Craigmillar, said: "This community has gone through lots of changes and the council is committed not just to making it a good community but making it a great one."

At the presentation, John Quinn, General Manager of PARC, said: "I think it's wonderful to get the award - a lot of partners have delivered something very unique." He went on to explain the good working partnership between local authority departments and other project partners. Mr. Quinn also highlighted the first use in Scotland of the innovative permeable pavement that provides greater drainage at the site.

He added: "I think the more people in Craigmillar are aware of and are given some recognition like this, the more it becomes a place that we can change the perception about Craigmillar for the better and people will realize the opportunities that are here. It is a good place to stay, it's a wonderful place to come to and we are putting everything we can into design and everything else to try and put it forward."

Chris Simmonds, the project's architect, said he was delighted at winning the award: "It's tremendous to pick up an award for this, we have been really keen on introducing the Home Zone concept to Craigmillar. It's been quite an interesting process working with the council trying to get through some new ideas on road building. To actually get it built is an achievement in itself. I think the important thing is that it helps to re-adjust the balance between cars and people in favour of pedestrians and cyclists and people. We hope people will take control of the streets a bit more and see it more as an extension of their living spaces."

Bill Armstrong, Construction Manager at PARC and E.D.I., said that winning the award was “fabulous”. He added: "I think any award is a great thing to get. I don't think you can get enough, so long may it continue."

Mr. Armstrong said he initially had reservations about the Home Zone concept, he explained: "My vision was kids and cars don't mix but it's actually worked out fantastic. I think you only have to see when the school empties and the cars are all driving, everybody automatically just slows down - it's a fantastic concept."

Jim Kelly, Sales and Marketing Manager at PARC also underlined the family friendly nature of the housing area: "It means children are able to play in a safe environment, you'll notice there are no signs for what the speed limit is. Drivers automatically slow down because of that and there is more eye-to-eye contact between the driver and the pedestrian."

From: The Chronicle

Date: 10 August 2009

Contact: craigmillar@chronicle.org.uk
0131 661 0791