Elgin trials “people friendly” street designs
June 7 2011
These include a colourful stepping stone effect to guide children to and from a nearby school, creating green space through tree planting, rerouting paths to afford residents greater privacy and re-defining car parking to discourage speeding.
Alex Bottril, Sustrans’ street designer behind the project, says “So far the designs have all been on paper and models, but this chance to map them out on the street itself to help us see what designs works and what the reality of their design will mean for people traveling within the area, whether that is on foot, by bike or by car. This event will help finalise the designs for the neighbourhood.”
Sustrans are working alongside Elgin Community Council and the local community forum in the Moray Council project.
Community street parks will be set up to give residents a space to hold strweet parties and bbq's
Uncoventional design solutions have dreamed up by locals
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8 Comments
#1 Posted by Mennie Rackintosh on 8 Jun 2011 at 11:52 AM
Arcitle & imgae titels neds chcekd for tpyos.
#2 Posted by The Bairn on 9 Jun 2011 at 23:14 PM
BBQs and street parties in Scotland? happens on a regular basis NOT!! complete load of bollocks...were the locals on mind altering substances whilst handed crayons to deface the site plan? Big Society indeed eh? Pile of manure anyone. Urban graffiti under another name.
#3 Posted by Jimbo on 10 Jun 2011 at 16:38 PM
Sounds like a good idea to me, if only because I love a good BBQ! It would be a low cost, low maintenance, facility open to all and a wide range of potential activities. If you look at things with a positive, open mind, The Bairn, it would prob help your apparent massively cynical outlook on life!
Really like the stepping stone idea for kids going to school; hopefully drivers will think they're driving through a playground and slow their minis and quasqhais down.
Really like the stepping stone idea for kids going to school; hopefully drivers will think they're driving through a playground and slow their minis and quasqhais down.
#4 Posted by The Bairn on 10 Jun 2011 at 18:22 PM
oops, did I sound too cynical? ...while the rest of the industry suffers from the worst recession/credit crunch/austere times we have had for a century the people responsible for this 'froth' live in a different world from me. Its not that important is it? Designing is one thing but making it a reality and within budget is another. Low maintenance?
#5 Posted by Jimbo on 13 Jun 2011 at 08:51 AM
Cynical and narrow minded; "not that important"? Ahh, because you don't live in Elgin, got it.
There don't seem to be any aspects of this project which would result in higher than usual maintenance costs. In terms of making it reality, why not lend support instead of keyboard sniping? The event was a trial, to see if it's feasible and the designs are well liked.
Bitter, selfish and badly measured comments there in my opinion.
There don't seem to be any aspects of this project which would result in higher than usual maintenance costs. In terms of making it reality, why not lend support instead of keyboard sniping? The event was a trial, to see if it's feasible and the designs are well liked.
Bitter, selfish and badly measured comments there in my opinion.
#6 Posted by The Bairn on 13 Jun 2011 at 23:07 PM
Of course its relevant to the people who live in this area but trivial as a feature on a website such as this. Surely short of items Editor eh?.
I am a realist. Its not feasible. It wont work in the long term and will be a waste ot time, money and resources all round. Jimbo you no doubt mean well in lending support the to this scheme. Your opinion is different from mine. But like many others this will not survive a harsh highland winter. Are these coloured spots heated? LOL
And I suppose you also support the idea of eliminating all street signs and road markings in larger conurbations to allow the natural free flow of vehicles and people!!
I am a realist. Its not feasible. It wont work in the long term and will be a waste ot time, money and resources all round. Jimbo you no doubt mean well in lending support the to this scheme. Your opinion is different from mine. But like many others this will not survive a harsh highland winter. Are these coloured spots heated? LOL
And I suppose you also support the idea of eliminating all street signs and road markings in larger conurbations to allow the natural free flow of vehicles and people!!
#7 Posted by Jimbo on 14 Jun 2011 at 08:45 AM
I think you should open your mind a bit The Bairn – if UR stuck to new Transport Museums and sports arenas, it would be pretty limited… I think it can be implemented, and I hope it will, although it looks like you’ll be delighted if it fails! Saying they won’t survive the weather sounds like straw clutching to me!
In terms of street clutter, I think we’re pretty bad for it in the UK – I wouldn’t remove it all, but there’s definitely too much. Not that it would make much difference overall I don’t think – the majority of people are so selfish and self centred they don’t see that tearing about residential streets poses any problem because they, personally, feel safe in their car. Next time you’re at the supermarket, watch folk rallying about the car park like Le Mans!!
People and cars can’t really be integrated in any sensible way… I think the problem is that in this country cars have too much priority. Friends from South East Asia can’t believe how fast cars drive in our urban areas, and that our road design facilitates the speeds they’re doing!
In terms of street clutter, I think we’re pretty bad for it in the UK – I wouldn’t remove it all, but there’s definitely too much. Not that it would make much difference overall I don’t think – the majority of people are so selfish and self centred they don’t see that tearing about residential streets poses any problem because they, personally, feel safe in their car. Next time you’re at the supermarket, watch folk rallying about the car park like Le Mans!!
People and cars can’t really be integrated in any sensible way… I think the problem is that in this country cars have too much priority. Friends from South East Asia can’t believe how fast cars drive in our urban areas, and that our road design facilitates the speeds they’re doing!
#8 Posted by The Bairn on 14 Jun 2011 at 14:12 PM
No Jimbo I wish the project well but as a realist and aged over 21, I expect this and similar schemes to fail especially in the UK. You make some valid points but my opinion is that designers should stop living in a romantic fantasy world! Get real.
Going off topic HRH Prince Charles is similar minded regarding Poundbury but at least he realises his ideas about design bring more problems to the table which have to be resolved by mainly throwing ludicrous amounts of money at them and spend unreasonable time developing the design. Im all for this quality end product but it really is a long drawn out process to achieve it.
I would buy one if I was rich like you.
Have a nice day.
Going off topic HRH Prince Charles is similar minded regarding Poundbury but at least he realises his ideas about design bring more problems to the table which have to be resolved by mainly throwing ludicrous amounts of money at them and spend unreasonable time developing the design. Im all for this quality end product but it really is a long drawn out process to achieve it.
I would buy one if I was rich like you.
Have a nice day.
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