Five Roads Forum Chosen as Pilot

Government Minister makes announcement from Broughton Road

The Government announced on 4 August 1999 that the Five Roads Forum is to be one of the first Home Zones in the country. To mark the occasion transport minister Lord Whitty visited Ealing's Broughton Road to take tea with the residents. The street was closed to traffic and in its place chairs and tables arranged. The Council also erected a marquee to house the ‘front room' set.

Children playing Children particularly enjoyed the extra freedom in the road without cars, playing hopscotch and other games with other children many of whom they had not met before.

"The purpose of closing the road is to remind us all that we must share the streets and not just turn them over to ever increasing traffic," said Five Roads founder Charmian Boyd.

"Today is the beginning of building communities where neighbours know each other and children can play in safety.  Home Zones are not just about cars and parking," she added.

Among those attending from Ealing Council were leader Gillian Guy, Councillor Wicks and Head of Planning Terry Knibbs. In addition to Lord Whitty, Peterborough MP Helen Brinton, who introduced the Home Zone bill, came along.  The lobby group Transport 2000 also attended.  But the hosts were the residents of the Five Roads Forum comprising Arden, Broughton, Denmark, Hartington and Hastings Roads who came out in numbers to welcome their distinguished guests.

There was also unprecedented media attention from Radio, TV and press. Five Roads Forum committee members gave interviews on Radio 4's Today, BBC Breakfast News, Sky News, BBC Newsroom Southeast and ITN. In addition many newspapers, including Ealing's Gazette, sent reporters.  As a result there was a lot of media attention at the time, including in The Guardian and the BBC.

"This is clearly a topical issue that has captured everyone's imagination, judging by the phenomenal media interest," added Boyd.

The event also drew interest from local businesses such as Waitrose, who entertained everyone to champagne.