Rather than short journey times for drivers, road layouts within
eco-towns should be designed primarily to maintain a
pleasant pedestrian environment.
Slow Roads
Speeds are limited to 20 or 30mph within the town, and cars have to give
way whenever roads cross pedestrian streets.
Rear Parking
Cars are kept separate from the main pedestrian streets, with roads hidden behind homes.
Residents can park their cars on driveways at the back of the house.
These roads also allow for the delivery of goods and the collection
of waste.
Parking on roads is for loading and unloading only, with all other
parking limited to driveways and car parks.
Minimal Impact on Pedestrians
Every house still fronts onto a pedestrian street.
Roads only meet pedestrian paths
at right angles. And where they do meet, zebra crossings give pedestrians the
priority.
Carshare Schemes
Carshare schemes throughout the town give residents the option of giving up
their car entirely, saving them several thousand pounds a year and a
great deal of hassle, but still allowing them access to a car when they
need it.
Clean Industry
Clean industry is arranged just inside the ring road as shown
below. This keeps lorries off the quiet roads behind homes, and
acts as a buffer between the ends of residential streets and the
ring road with its heavier traffic.
Electrical Stores etc.
Those buildings marked for clean industry, but adjoining the outer
car parks, would be used for electrical stores, furniture stores etc.
This minimises the effects their extra freight requirements would have
on the pedestrian centres, and allows customers to take their heavy or
bulky goods home by car/simplifies the process of home delivery.
Public Transport
A railway station (blue) and local bus services (red) would link the eco-town to
nearby villages, towns and cities.
Diesel buses, being rather noisy and smelly, are best
kept away from pedestrian areas. Instead, buses and trains are
kept hidden
behind homes.
Pedicabs, which can provide a proper door-to-door
service, are the best option for moving the infirm around
town.
Rail Freight
Since rail is a far more efficient means of transporting goods
over long distances than lorries, a rail freight terminal (purple) would also be
built.
