A RADICAL new approach to road layout in residential areas is to be introduced by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The Home Zone pilot scheme aims to re-arrange the design of streets at Malvern Buildings, in Fairfield Park, Bath and Frederick and Albert Avenues, in Peasedown St John.

Consultation meetings will be held by the council, which is keen to hear from residents who have suggestions about changing road layout, adding street furniture and planting trees and shrubs.

The council, which is running the scheme in conjunction with the Bath-based environmental charity envolve, said it will let people have their say on how they want their streets to look.

Nick Jeanes, leader of the council's traffic safety team said: "The scheme will give people the chance to let us know what they want their roads to offer. They may want roads to be safer for children or to be more accessible to cyclists or they may want more room to park their cars.

"This scheme is likely to give more priority to pedestrians and children, making the roads safer."

Margot McGinty, community support officer at envolve said: "Home Zone schemes aim to improve the quality of life in residential streets by changing expectations of vehicle use and the way that residential streets are used.

"We do not want cars to dictate the use of the street. Ideally we want speed limits down to 10 mph in these zones. We want people to feel secure in their environment."

Bath is one of 61 regions chosen by the Department of Transport to receive a £400,000 grant to put in place a Home Zone policy.