'DIY design' street celebration

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People living in a Cardiff street are the first in Wales to take part in a pilot project which allows them to redesign their road.

Somerset Street in the Grangetown area of the city is taking part in the "DIY Streets" project run by sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

It aims to help residents redesign their streets, making them safer and more attractive places to live.

Getting motorists to slow down has been the focus in Somerset Street.

The street signed up after concerns about noise levels and safety issues were raised from residents about the use of "mini-motos", while parking issues were also highlighted.

People living in the 50-house street, close to the city centre, also want to see the volume of traffic using the street reduced.

They are being asked to come up with improvement ideas, and with support from Sustrans and Cardiff Council, funding will be made available for some of the ideas to become reality.

On Sunday residents will throw a street party to show how it could be seen as a "social space" rather than simply as a thoroughfare.

Anything that makes the city prettier has to be good Nick Laney

A green space has recently been developed nearby as part of the area's regeneration programme.

But the street has been earmarked for more resident-led development.

Cardiff Council's executive member for communities, housing and social justice, Judith Woodman, said: "The idea of DIY Streets is a really innovative one and anything that encourages people to improve and take a pride in their community is to be welcomed.

"I'm sure the residents of Somerset Street will greatly benefit from this."

Somerset Street resident Nick Laney added: "No-one minds being guinea pigs.

"It'll focus on traffic calming like building out pavements and speed bumps. Anything that makes the city prettier has to be good," he added.

The DIY Streets pilot scheme will see 10 streets in areas across the UK taking part.