PEOPLE living in Heathfield Avenue, Dover, are to be asked for their views on how they want their area re-designed. The government has named the street as one of the new Home Zones that are being set up around the country to reclaim roads for people, not traffic.

Kent County Council submitted the bid for Heathfield Avenue to be included in the scheme, and £255,000 of government money has been set aside for the project. It will be one of only three Home Zones in Kent.

"The aim is to return the road to communities, not just drivers, where neighbours can chat and children play," said Grahame Weston, KCC's chairman of the Highways Advisory Board. In previous pilot schemes, residents have suggested existing road space and pavements become one shared area, with the planting of trees and shrubs and designated parking for residents to keep traffic at a very low speed.

It is expected that part of the area will be marked out with traditional street games for children, such as hop-scotch and a maze. "We will soon be inviting residents of Heathfield Avenue to come forward with ideas for the scheme as it is entirely up to the residents how their street will be designed," said Mr Weston.

"I am delighted we have won the money to transform street life here. We will be here to advise on the scheme, and we look forward to working closely with the residents over the next year to help them plan a street for themselves - not one that is just another through run for traffic."